Westville North residents said something needs to be done about the New Germany Nature Reserve as it has turned into have haven for criminals.
A WESTVILLE North resident is worried about the increase in crime in the area after a resident, Gordon Donaldson, was killed during a home invasion.
Steve Dias, a member of the Westville Community Policing Forum, said they are now living in fear as they can not sleep peacefully in their homes.
“Crime is very bad in this area and it is even worse when there are gangs of people who target your area. These people strike in the middle of the night and it is so hard to defend yourself.”
Dias said the Westville SAPS are very diligent to their jobs and they they are doing everything to fight crime in the area.
“The Westville police and their station commander are making a real effort to motivate and cooperate with the residents. I believe that people and various departments have to play their role to assist.”
He said that the main problem is the New Germany Nature Reserve and the water reservoir: “The criminals are using it to gain excess and to flee the area.” He said they are also using these places as their hideouts.
“The fences there have been cut on numerous occasions by the criminals. Last year, we made an appeal to the DA councillor, Bruce Sutcliffe, for something to be done about the reserve fencing,” he explained.
The Ward 18 councillor said he was very insulted by an SMS that he recently received which was sent by a resident who did not even include their name, which was basically blaming him for the murder in Westville North,.
“I wish to state the facts that I have on three occasions requested details of what is required regarding fencing to secure the reserve, but nothing has been forthcoming. Should I have received such I could have at least taken the matter further.
“I have also brought the matter up in numerous meetings with managers but the comments are that there is no budget, lack of staff and other reasons.”
Sutcliffe said he has also discussed the possibility of floodlights shining into the reserve from streetlight poles, but the comment from the city was that if residents wanted this, they would have to cover the costs themselves.
“I have taken it upon myself to be involved in security matters in Westville North, attending community meetings as well as CPF and other forums,” he stated.
He did confirm that the the New Germany Nature Reserve has become a security problem for all of the areas bordering on it, not only Westville North, but Cowies Hill and Pinetown as well.
“The hard fact of life in South Africa is that we have to take responsibility for our own security, as while the SAPS staff and Metro Police do an exceptional job in our areas, they are seriously understaffed.”
Sutcliffe added that people who wish to involve themselves in community projects can attend the CPF meetings held on the third Tuesday of every month at the Westville Country Club, where members of the security services attend.
http://highwaymail.co.za/212126/increase-in-crime-worries-westville-residents/
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