Is Golden Harvest Park safe?
GOLDEN HARVEST PARK – What is being done about the criminal activities in Golden Harvest Park?
Golden Harvest Park officials spoke out regarding the issue of crime and safety in the park. On 20 August there was a serious mugging where one man was shot and killed. Park manager Mike Marcy said, “We have park wardens that patrol the park and change their patterns, as well as patrol each security gate and entrance.” He added that there are people still living inside the park in houses built a long time ago.
“We cannot restrict access to everyone from a certain time.” Marcy added that the park opens at 6am and closes at 6pm, but these times may differ due to the time the sun sets in summer or winter. Friends of Golden Harvest Park chairperson Adri Albertyn said, “We urge visitors to not take any valuables with them or use them in the presence of other people in the park. It is really sad when an incident like this happens because the park is beautiful and many community members enjoy using it.”
Honeydew SAPS, Friends of Golden Harvest Park and the park manager have monthly meetings regarding the park. Ward 101 councillor Ralf Bittkau said, “There are points of access that are not monitored and that are used frequently.”
Honeydew SAPS spokesperson Warrant Officer Karen Jacobs stated, “The Honeydew SAPS sector vehicles are conducting regular patrols in the park. We also post the SAPS mounted unit in the park when they are available.”
Bittkau commented in reply, “SAPS do patrol the park but they leave at 6pm. This is when most criminal activity happens.” He added, “There is a huge drug dealing issue in the area, I have pointed it out to the police and they don’t seem [to] have done much about it.”
WO Jacobs concluded, “Numerous arrests have also been made in and around the park for suspects in possession of drugs and street robberies.”
What are your thoughts on Golden Harvest Park?
Do you feel safe enough to visit parks in your community?
What do you think can be done about the crime?
Details: Golden Harvest Park 011 712 6600; Honeydew Police 011 801 8613; Ward 101 councillor Ralf Bittkau 084 572 4002.
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