WOULD you pay to go to the beach? This question comes after the issue of lawlessness on local beaches resurfaced on social media recently.
Complaints of the state of Bluff beaches is nothing new however, residents’ frustrations continue to rise with each weekend that passes. Excessive litter, public drinking, criminal offences and even violent altercations are the growing concern which has opened up the debate to have an entry fee into local beaches such as Ansteys and Brighton.
It is suggested that these funds would go towards security patrols as well as control certain groups of people entering the facility.
While community members had a lot to say on this, ward 66 councillor, Zoë Solomon and Bluff CPF chairperson, Andy Rossell beg to differ on the matter.
“That will never work. There is a constitutional right to the public to have access to public areas. People want to come out here and enjoy themselves and we want that for them. We want people to come into our community and shop local. It’s economic development for the area. When people from outside the Bluff support our businesses, they are investing money into our suburb. The issue is not about the people that are coming in, it’s about the lack of law enforcement. We cannot block off the beach, we don’t own the area. It’s not a local’s only beach, there’s no such thing and it’s unconstitutional,” they said.
“The CPF had been dealing with the issue of public drinking and lack of law enforcement for over a year. When I become councillor, what I had to tackle head-on was the issue of litter and we got a good response from DSW and they helped clear up the area. But as far as law enforcement, we haven’t got that right yet,” said Solomon.
In a public meeting held last November, called by Rossell, Metro Police revealed that there were only two vehicles to patrol 13 suburbs between Chatsworth and the Bluff. With not enough manpower from the police, Rossell said it was advised that a SAPS initiative known as Community in Blue should be implemented. This is a community policing strategy that would seek to formalise and train residents to assist in policing in the area while working closely with SAPS to enforce the law.
“Apparently there was a meeting held recently at SAPS. The feedback I received from that is that SAPS doesn’t have the funds to roll out this initiative and that we are expected to provide our own uniform. It was also said that we aren’t to carry arms when on patrol. I don’t know how Community in Blue is going to work and it is unlikely that we will go forth with that option. I think maybe it’s time for us to form our own policing network on the Bluff, like a security company, separate from the CPF. The problem is it would need funds to get it off the ground,” he said and added that the CPF managed to raise funds to have a Snipr camera installed at Ansteys Beach recently.
Brighton Beach SAPS communications officer, Captian Louise Le Rox said that information sessions were still being held on the Community in Blue initiative. She said implementing this would not happen overnight. “This is managed by the social crime prevention sector. There are many role players that will have to be involved with recruiting members and to do background checks. There is a lot that needs to be taken into consideration,” she said.
Solomon reiterated that law enforcement on the beach was not hers or the CPF’s prime responsibility. “What has to be highlighted is the responsibility of the average citizen. They have the right to have the law enforced on their behalf. But it is being violated by the people who are in charge of law enforcement. The police are not doing their job. That’s the issue,” said Solomon who said that a request for a weekend boom gate has been put forth to police.
“What we want is a boom every weekend and we will provide people to man it in shifts. We do have residents who are prepared to do this. This would assist in making sure alcohol doesn’t find its way into the beach. We can boom the area for control but we can’t stop people from coming in. The beach is for everyone. It’s on us to also keep it clean. Come down here, behave yourself and abide by the law that’s all we ask for. We are living in a crumbling system and we have to come together,” said the pair who motivated for a strong sense of civic responsibility in helping alleviate by-law challenges.
We asked you what your thoughts about this topic were on Facebook. Here are some responses:
Pat Gilliat: I think certain beaches should be pay beaches. To guarantee safety and cleanliness I would happily pay a fee. Other beaches can be open to all.
Cairan Pitt: Why pay more? We already pay high rates for living close to beach. Maybe suggest that only residents from the area use the beach. Show proof of address.
Grant van Heerden: Yes, I like the idea but it is not lawful. The police must do their duty and start charging people that bring booze there.
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