Weekend peace elusive in Beach Road

Beach Road residents are up in arms over revellers who party in parking lots adjacent to their flats and leave a disgusting mess behind.

“I am speaking on behalf of 15 families who are permanent residents and pensioners at Strandburg flats overlooking the parking area in Beach Road, and the 45 other owners who rent their flats out to holidaymakers,” said one resident, who preferred to remain anonymous.

We as owners and the holidaymakers have enjoyed sitting on the balconies, looking at the ocean and views. This has come to an end over weekends from Friday afternoons to Sunday nights with illegal parking, drinking in public, taxis in the parking area, and people using shrubs for toilets and making fires against the Strandburg boundary wall.

We have complained to the SAP and Metro Police, but they just drive through the parking area and do nothing. Only at about 9pm do they start removing people, even though the entrance sign states people must leave by 6pm.”

The Sun’s queries directed to Toti SAPS, Metro Police and ward 97 councillor, Andre Beetge by the Sun, elicited a response only from the councillor.

“The festive season is upon us and with hot, rain-less summer nights, people will seek public open spaces for recreation purposes,” said Cllr Beetge.

“As in every other year, we have to accept that people from different cultures will share the same or approximate space that will in turn require a certain degree of not only mutual respect, but also tolerance.

While law enforcement authorities have already started increasing their presence, especially during weekends, one has to accept that they cannot be everywhere at all times and that complaints are prioritised and managed according to available resources.

It is not unique to our area, but indicative of coastal towns across the world, as they gear up for the annual influx of visitors.

While the much-needed revenue is required to boost the local economy, visitors often appear oblivious that this remains someone’s home where people have normal, everyday routines, as opposed to their few carefree days or hours of recreation.

It is therefore for purposes of better control that authorities institute measures such as permitted access to certain areas on specific days where larger than normal crowds are expected.

Likewise, municipal resources are deployed to accommodate the increased demand to ensure a safer, cleaner and accommodating environment.

We would again recommend that residents plan accordingly and accept the realities and challenges of a coastal town during ‘silly season’.

Increased tolerance will be rewarded as come January, the tourists will all have to go back to their grey existence and we’ll again have the town all to ourselves.”