VIDEO: ‘The people shall lead’ becomes the refrain for Eldos Ext 4 residents
"The community participation in ensuring that this building was demolished, was amazing. We need to see more of this willingness to do away with things which have a negative impact on our community."
A Balfour Street, Extension Four resident can rest easy after last week’s intervention by the community. The pounding of footsteps running through his yard and the anguished screams and drug use on his property are issues he no longer has to contend with.
According to Yellow Ribbon Foundation founder, Dereleen James, the structure became a haven for criminals hell-bent on wreaking havoc in the area. Their activities ranged from drug use, using the building as a drug den in which copious amounts of drugs were consumed, to hiding out from pursuing victims whom they robbed.
After a deluge of complaints from neighbouring residents, James and disgruntled residents contacted the homeowner who agreed to demolish what one can only surmise had become a headache for him.
WATCH:
Councillor Fazel Jaffer, whom the group consulted, gave the go-ahead and James, who is also a member of the Local Drug Action Committee, mobilised residents from the area and the outbuilding was destroyed.
Residents from Extension Four, clearly fed-up with the illicit activity, joined in and made short work of reducing the structure to rubble.
James was struck by their willingness to do away with the building, said, “The community participation in ensuring that this building was demolished, was amazing. We need to see more of this willingness to do away with things which have a negative impact on our community.”
She continued, “We cannot wait on government to bring about change in our community when the constitution clearly states, ‘The people shall lead’.
“Too often we give over our challenges and concerns to institutions who do not share an understanding of the experiences we go through. It is time we started seeking solutions to eradicate the innumerable challenges plaguing our community.”
This sentiment is shared by many who are of the view that Eldorado Park holds the keys to determining whether we remain imprisoned by the shackles of abuse, substance abuse, alcoholism and the myriad of issues holding Eldos residents hostage.
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