An alleged lack of security and inadequate lighting at Panorama garden refuse site in Allens Nek is a safety hazard for residents in the area.
According to Collin Errakia, a resident who stays in a complex nearby, Pikitup is neglecting the site and residents are becoming soft targets for criminals. “Lights are not working, there is no security guard at night and criminals gain access to our complex through the dump site.”
Residents have experienced an increase in break-ins in complexes close to the site. At Errakia’s complex alone, they’ve had more than two break-ins in less than four days.
Residents have raised their concerns with Pikitup but were told the utility doesn’t have enough funds to employ a security guard to work nights. As for lighting, residents have not been provided with a straight answer. “No one wants to account for this, we are sent from one person to the next in our plea to get answers,” remarked Errakiah.
CPB Security, the service provider at Errakiah’s complex, has employed two additional security guards to work night shift in an effort to eliminate break-ins. The lack of controlled access during the day when security guards are patrolling the site is also a concern. People walk in and out as they please and it is evident that some of these people are not there to dump any rubbish.
Ward councillor Mike Tonkin said he’ll take it up with the relevant authorities to make sure that the area is as safe as possible. At the time of going press Pikitup had not responded to questions sent to them on the matter.
