Loiterers ‘own’ the park

Continuous lawlessness at Florin Road Park in Struben’s Valley makes the lives of other residents hell.

Tess Havard of Struben’s Valley is one such resident. According to Havard, there is nothing left of that park and no maintenance is done by the city council.

She also feels that the lack of regular maintenance of the park has lured the wrong crowd into the suburb. “Needless to say that this park is over-run by unemployed African men who spend their days drinking and selling drugs. This I have witnessed with my own eyes.”

Havard also alleged that she and her family had stones thrown at them by the loiterers who are usually in this park. “We were sitting outside, having dinner when an argument erupted among the men. When things got verbally abusive, I asked them to please quieten down. Then all mayhem broke loose, as we were then verbally abused. They also threatened to kill us and proceeded to throw rocks at us. All of this in our own backyard.”

Trying to get the police to step in was in vain as they could not be reached for more than two hours. “I tried calling various police numbers, without anyone answering any calls. What if this was a life and death situation? What if they shot at us? Or if one of those rocks that were thrown hit one of us?”

Another resident, Brian Danney, confirmed that the park is indeed a problem for them as residents and doesn’t seem to serve for the purpose that it was built for. “For the eight years that I have been living here, I can count on one hand the number of times that the children who live in this neighbourhood have actually played in the park.”

He also complained that the vlei, which is supposedly a bird sanctuary, has become a toilet and illegal dumping ground for those people using the park.

“We have, on a daily basis, people urinating and defecating behind our complex. Once drunk, these people disturb the peace until the early hours of the morning.”

Danney also highlighted that previously when they called Honeydew Police Station to complain about the situation, they were told that it’s a matter that must be handled by Metro Police and when they attempted to contact Metro Police, they were referred back to Honeydew Police.

On a positive note, Danny applauded Honeydew Police who had the two vagrants – who had been living at the park – removed.

Spokesperson for Honeydew Police Warrant Officer Karen Jacobs said they conduct regular raids and arrests have been made at the park. She also said sector vehicles will be ordered to increase visibility, especially over weekends, to address the complaints raised by residents.

Ward Councillor of the area, Jaco Engelbrecht said he was in talks with City Parks to try and see if the park cannot be fenced off and have controlled access to try and eliminate the lawlessness that is taking place there.

Details: Ward 97 Councillor Jaco Engelbrecht 082 318 6514; Honeydew Police Operational Room 011 801 8613/4/5;

Sector 3 patrol vehicles 071 675 7103; 071 675 7107.