EDITOR – Take back the Bluff.
I recently had a confrontation with a woman who was allowing her child to urinate in a parking lot.
Her comment was “he is still a child”. Is this the way of modern life and how we raise our children? The Community Policing Forum (CPF) receives regular complaints regarding this and other bylaw violations.
Bylaw violations, to my mind, are the ‘broken window’ effect. Should we not attend to these, how can we solve much bigger violations such as crime? Crime exists and is as old as prostitution – somebody is always losing, but let us together move it to another suburb.
Some people in society have the attitude that as a result of their social or financial status, they are above the law. They are arrogant enough to infringe on the tolerance levels of others. These misdemeanours include over-populated residential housing, using residential zoned housing for business purposes, dumping rubbish and building material on municipal land or streets, and the list goes on.
The value of the Bluff lies in the attitude of the residents
If the people residing on the Bluff do not view this in a serious light, the Bluff will degrade and properties will devalue. The value of the Bluff lies in the attitude of the residents. Should your neighbour violates bylaws, assist by exposing him. Even if it is only the mistreatment of animals, which is a reflection of a person’s state of mind.
Residents have already experienced an improvement of bylaw violations on our beaches and a decrease in the criminal element. This is mainly due to the negotiations and discussions facilitated by the Bluff CPF between the SAPS and Metro. Formal meetings between these parties take place on a monthly basis. Together with the weekly meetings with the security companies serving the Bluff and the Brighton Beach SAPS management, a platform has been established to highlight and work towards resolving problems on a regular basis. The newly formed public street patrols will make a difference in our community. Look after you neighbour’s property and yours will be safe as you have at least two people looking after yours. Report all crime to SAPS, Metro Police or the CPF as Facebook will not resolve it. Even the environmental issues such as the smells and waste in the channels are of importance.
Looking forward to the coming municipal elections, it is important to make your opinion known by voting. We may not always get what we ask for but it is now a matter of demanding service.
Useful numbers:
- SAPS 031-451-8060/59;
- Metro 031-361-0000;
- CPF 082-449-6503;
- Corruption reporting: 0800-701-701.
CARL KNAUFF
Bluff CPF chairman
Do you have more information pertaining to this story?
Feel free to let us know by commenting on our facebook page or you can contact our newsroom on 031 903 2341 and speak to a journalist.
DID YOU KNOW?
To receive news links via WhatsApp, send an invite to 061 876 3179
The Southlands Sun is also on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest – why not join us there?
