RiverWel Residents Association strengthens barriers against roaming crime elements
Palisades throughout the area are funded and erected through the monthly contributions of residents.
Vigilance and co-operation help to plug exploited gaps.
RiverWel Residents Association beefed up their security measures by adding extra layers of palisade fencing to the Cornelius Street bridge. The field had previously been fenced on either side of the bridge but a thin slot between the fence and concrete barrier rail was being accessed. The supports were cemented in on August 28 and the crew returned on August 30 to weld together the panels.
The greenbelts that run through the suburb have been a contentious issue for many years. Residents associations throughout Weltevreden Park have sought to turn these stretches of nature into community assets but they are often used as escape routes for criminals and campsites for displaced persons.
Longstanding RiverWel member Neville Burnett claimed the fences have been a considerable deterrent, forcing criminal elements to stick to more visible areas which in turn assists security companies and authorities when tracking suspects. Other fenced access points to the greenbelt include Cockspur Road bridge and Without Avenue bridge as well along Jim Fouche Road which serves as the uppermost border of RiverWel’s footprint.
The fence was initially installed with a pedestrian access point but a lockable gate has been added to further limit access. Encouraging more residents in RiverWel to join their efforts, Burnett said, “Every metre of palisade fencing along the greenbelts in the RiverWel area has been funded and erected by paying members who care about making a difference.”
