The Parkmore Community Association has responded to questions from community members regarding road closures.
The association said that road closures have been in effect for about four months.
The following rules apply:
- The booms are open between 6am to 9.30am and 3pm to 7.30pm on weekdays; and 8am to 1pm on Saturdays in terms of the Johannesburg Roads Agency agreement.
- In between closed times, no guards are legally allowed to stop and check cars or ask them to sign in.
- Guards are legally entitled to two 15-minute tea breaks and a 30-minute lunch break during a shift. During this time they are in the hut and open the booms.
- During open times, the guards patrol in pairs for safety and effectiveness, and the idea is to increase their presence. None of the guards are armed, except the guards in vehicles.
- There are 36 gates to open across the suburb and it takes about 45 minutes to open all the gates.
- All gates have to be open by 6am, thus some gates will be opened earlier and some may close slightly later than the stated times.
The association said there has been a decrease in crimes since the gates came into effect, having reduced from about 10 incidents a week to two incidents per week. The types of crimes have changed as well and there have been no driveway robberies across the suburb.
Generally, the types of crimes over the past four months have been house robberies by robbers on foot who force open unsecured gates.
If residents notice anything suspicious or have an emergency, the number to call is the same number as the PCA 24/7 control room.
