A COMMUNITY meeting by Ormonde residents, on May 5, had residents on opposing sides as the future of a double-up at the end of Central Parkway Street was discussed.
The double-up route is used as a shortcut by residents of Ormonde, Xavier Reef and Evans Park to make their way onto Nasrec Road, when they are going to work or transporting children to school.
However, Booysens Sector One CPF executive member Imtiaaz Mia said that the route has also become a convenient way in and out of Ormonde and surrounding suburbs for criminals.
At the meeting, residents brought up the fact that incidents of crime have been on the increase.
Ward 54’s Clr Sergio dos Santos was present at the meeting, to hear the concerns of residents and to give a report on progress made regarding issues of crime and poor service by the municipality.
Residents of Ormonde recently scared away criminals at one of the homes, after they spotted a Kia utility bakkie in the driveway, being used to load stolen goods.
“We need to know our neighbours,” proposed a resident, stating that it would near impossible to spot an intruder in the area if residents did not know their neighbours.
Dos Santos told the residents: “I have been speaking to the Johannesburg Roads Agency (JRA) about closing the ditch, maybe getting concrete barriers or a palisade to close off the illegal road, to help with muggings in the area.”
While some residents wanted the double-up because of convenience of access in and out of Ormonde, others argued that safety was more important than convenience.
Previously, a petition to council was signed by residents who were against the closing of the double-up route.
However, at the meeting, residents came to an agreement that the road was illegal and that, for the safety of families, it had to be closed off to vehicles.
