Parkhurst’s residents took to the ‘I Love Parkhurst’ Facebook page to complain about the new car guards being aggressive, not only towards the motorists but among themselves as they try “mark their territory”.
According to Parkhurst’s Residents’ Association chairperson Cheryl Labuschagne, the deployment of car guards on the business strip was an initiative from Parktown North and Parkhurst Security Association (Parksec).
They are sponsored by Cortac and supported by the Parkview police.
“Since the deployment of the car guards, we have had a few complaints about them being aggressive, and this matter has been taken forward to the security company – they have assured us they had spoken to the car guards about their behaviour,” said Labuschagne.
Having fought for the past three years to have ACE parking moved out of the suburb, Labuschagne said it was important to note that the streets of Parkhurst were public property and the residents’ association would not support any initiative that threatened this.
According to the Parksec chairperson, John McPherson, the deployment of the car guards is an initiative to tackle the high level of vehicle-related crimes in Parkhurst and Parktown North.
“Parkview police had a suspicion that the informal car guards that plied their trade on 4th Avenue were complicit in a number of these crimes, acting, amongst others, as ‘spotters’ for criminal gangs,” said McPherson.
McPherson said that, together with the police, Parksec conducts background checks and takes the fingerprints of car attendants interested in being stationed on 4th Avenue. The men are also provided with uniforms for identification purposes.
However, he has admitted to teething problems and an understandable resistance from “incumbent opportunists and persons with vested interests”.
“This may have led to some vocal disagreements on the street. There will always be detractors and complaints, but we believe that a brave decision was called for and the initiative was required to address the current scourge,” he said.
Related articles:
Parking attendants demand a basic salary
Paid Parking terminated in Parkhurst
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