EDITOR – I would like to know if something can’t be done about the prostitutes in Warner Beach, especially under the subway that leads to the beach?
All of a sudden there seems to be so many new ones hanging around. There also seems to be a lot of men that hang around with them. They are there from about 5pm every day, it is quite frightening for the people that walk that way.
These prostitutes and these strange men sit and drink as well as using drugs on the steps leading down to the subway. With winter coming, it gets dark much earlier in the evenings, and I’m sure these women are doing their business on the steps as well. Last week Sunday morning, I happened to walk up the steps and saw a used condom in the middle of the steps. The subway is a mess and it smells of urine. It seems they are using the subway as a toilet because the toilets by the beach are locked.
These people are not scared to make comments when you walk past them down the steps into the subway.
All you can smell is alcohol and weed, and I’m sure there must be other stuff that they are using as well. One of the prostitutes who is there every day from early until late, is always drunk. You can hear them at all hours of the morning.
This behaviour is bringing the value of the properties down when people are trying to sell their houses to get away from the area. This behaviour is making Warner Beach a drug and prostitutes area and is becoming very unsafe. I hate to know what the holiday makers think of this when they visit and see what is happening in the area. I’m sure they don’t want to come back because of this. It is really out of control.
People, like me, and I’m sure there are others who use the subway to get to work and back home again, don’t feel safe.
Yes, there is a camera, but the wires have been pulled out, and also the camera only points towards the subway and not to the steps.
They know it, that is why they sit on the steps at the railway line. Please, something needs to be done about this and soon, before something happens to someone, especially if there are old people walking through the subway to go to the beach or even home.
ANONYMOUS
Councillor André Beetge responds:
During the past week we visited the subway at various times of the day and night and SAPS have included it within their patrol route.
While empty alcohol bottles were on occasion found in the vicinity, there was no smell of urine or feaces or anything normally associated with the use or trade in narcotics detected.
All lights at both ends of the subway and within are working and while individuals were observed in the immediate area, one would have to accept that people do have the right of movement.
We, however, noted at least two cafes in the area that appear to operate rather late hours, though with the front security gates closed there is no clarity on what is being served to attract these noisy patrons.
Alleged prostitutes have been a continuous problem in the area since the late 1990s, which makes one wonder whether they would continue to stay if people weren’t prepared to pay?
The matter will be discussed at the monthly sector meeting which is open to the public and scheduled for the first Wednesday of every month at 6pm in the Warner Beach Senior Primary hall.
CLLR ANDRÉ BEETGE
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