Woodlands residents join forces with Community Police Forum to crush illegal dumping
The Montwood Ratepayers' Association calls on the Montclair police to intervene and fine people who are illegally dumping outside the Glanville Road Garden Site.
THE persistent menace of illegal dumping has prompted residents in Montwood and surroundings to forge strong working relations with the crime-fighting structures in a bid to stop illegal dumping in Glanville Road.
Also read: Alleged municipal workers caught illegally dumping in Montclair park
In a concerted effort to tackle the issue, the Montwood Ratepayers’ Association has forged a crucial partnership with the Community Police Forum (CPF). This collaboration aims to raise awareness about the detrimental effects of illegal dumping on the environment and to curb these unlawful activities.
Their concerted efforts seek to stem the tide of unlawful dumping practices that tarnish the area’s natural beauty and pose significant environmental hazards.
Ward 64 councillor Gavin Hegter said the alliance between Montwood residents and the CPF represents a pivotal step in combating illegal dumping, demonstrating a commitment to safeguarding community health and preserving the natural integrity of their surroundings.
He stressed the potential legal consequences for violators, urging public compliance with waste-management regulations.
Hegter said the partnership between concerned residents and law enforcement agencies signifies a proactive approach to raising awareness and enforcing environmental stewardship.
Hegter highlighted the severity of the problem, emphasising that illegal dumping not only degrades the natural beauty of the area but also poses serious environmental hazards. He urged residents to refrain from disposing of unwanted items outside designated areas like the Glanville Road Garden Refuse Site.
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“It’s illegal to dump waste outside designated sites such as the Woodlands Garden Site, which closes at 17:00 daily,” Hegter said. “Despite this, there have been instances where individuals dump their unwanted items after hours, contributing to unsightly and hazardous conditions.”
Hegter further cautioned that those found engaging in illegal dumping could face fines and legal repercussions. Additionally, he expressed concern over the presence of illegal waste pickers who scavenge dumped items, exacerbating the problem.
“We are appealing to the public to cease illegal dumping practices and to dispose of their waste responsibly,” Hegter urged. “The collaboration between the Montwood Ratepayers’ Association and the Community Police Forum is instrumental in educating the community about the negative impacts of illegal dumping and enforcing compliance with waste disposal regulations.”
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The partnership between the Montwood Ratepayers’ Association and the members of the CPF signifies a proactive step towards fostering a cleaner and more environmentally conscious community.
Heidi Geyser, the association’s treasurer, said that another meeting was held on June 19 with the Montclair police to devise long-term strategies aimed at mitigating the issue.
Geyser urged the police to apply the Second Hand Goods Act to apprehend illegal waste pickers who sell materials sourced from items dumped either within designated garden sites or elsewhere.
“We seek unified efforts to combat illegal dumping in our community. The Second-Hand Goods Act empowers police to arrest the perpetrators when necessary,” Geyser emphasised.
In a letter addressed to CPF chairperson Kevin Govender, the association called upon residents to proactively engage in combating illegal dumping. They proposed that CPF patrollers conduct patrols in the area after the site closure at 17:00.
“The accumulation of residents’ rubbish bags left outside beyond regular hours has become a major concern for both local residents and regular visitors to the garden site. Patrollers should utilise this time as a stakeout to apprehend perpetrators of after-hours illegal dumping for prosecution. A robust enforcement approach is essential to prevent and deter illegal dumping,” the statement read.
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