Residents working together for a safer community
Locals from Eldorado Park fight crime by uniting and fixing up the stadium which they claim is a hotspot for illegal activities.
Residents such as Galiel Trimmel, Remoun Trimmel, Abduragmaan Fredericks, and Arashaad Norman have taken it upon themselves to create a safer community in Eldorado Park.
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“Ever since the gate was stolen and there has been many openings through the fence, there has been a lot of illegal activities happening here. People come and smoke drugs here,” said Galiel Trimmel.  The resident alleged that there have been a few rape cases in the stadium and months ago they found a deceased woman’s body in the stadium as well. Trimmel also mentioned that sometimes they hear people screaming near or inside the stadium but they are afraid to go out to look if they can help because it could also be dangerous for them who go out too. The resident said that sometimes it could be trap to get someone out of their house.
Residents have started night patrols three weeks ago around the stadium in extension 9, Eldorado Park.
“The whole gate was completely taken off but they did not get away with the whole gate, they managed to take a few things from it but I think someone caught them in the act so they ended up leaving the gate behind. We took parts from the other gate that was also taken off and then we welded it together and yesterday (November 17) we put up the gate again,” said Trimmel.
The residents are doing everything out of their own pockets to ensure that they have a safer area.
According to Trimmel, vandals have also stolen cables from the street light pole and as soon as the residents come out of their houses, the vandals would run into the stadium and cannot be seen as the inside of the stadium is very dark.
“We haven’t had any assistance from SAPS so far, I attended a Community Policing Forum meeting last week where they actually committed to what we want to achieve here and that is a safer community for us all. We are about eleven residents from our street and the surrounding streets who do the patrols. I think it has made a difference because our street is not so busy anymore at night,” explained Trimmel.
The residents are currently trying to close up all the open spaces in the precast fence.
Locals from the area would like for the Eldorado Park SAPS to get involved to assist us with the patrols and they would also like to get City Parks and Zoo involved with trimming the trees because residents cannot see through the stadium. The trees are blocking their view so if anyone who is caught doing illegal activities runs into the stadium, it is easy for them to hide because the trees are overgrown and no one can see where they are hiding.
Constable Roxanne Gibb commented and shared that there has not been any reports on their side regarding the deceased woman found in the stadium and also said that if the residents reported the screams coming from the stadium to SAPS, she would need the exact time and dates so that she confirm the reports.
The Anglican Church in Robyn Street donated some concrete mix to seal up the open spaces in the fence. The residents are asking for any donations that will assist them in ensuring that the stadium is secured. If you are interested in assisting, you can contact Remoun Trimmel on 079Â 262 2631.
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