Vagrants take over the park
WILGEHEUWEL – Residents complain that vagrants allegedly commit crimes next to their residential complex.
The resident who was chased and thrown stones at by vagrants – who occupied Florin Road Park behind Riverview Shopping Centre – insists that the area is a crime hub.
The park is between Die Kiesels Complex and Riverview Shopping Centre and residents have complained that it is a huge problem for them.
“This park is constantly used by vagrants for drinking in public, drug dealing and squatting. The bird sanctuary in the park has become a toilet and illegal dumping ground for the people using the park. We have, on a daily basis, watched people urinating and defecating behind our complex,” explained a resident Brian Danney.
He complained that when those vagrants were drunk they would disturb the peace until the early hours of the morning.
According to him, police indicated that the problem should be addressed by Johannesburg Metro Police.
“JMPD responded by telling us to phone SAPS. Nothing gets done. This has been going on for the past eight years that I have been a resident at Die Kiesels,” Danney further elaborated.
The squatters apparently sleep behind the shopping centre just off the park and have been there for the past three months.
“We, the residents of the area, want this park closed down permanently,” he concluded.
JMPD spokesperson Chief Superintendent Wayne Minnaar said he was not aware if the residents reported the problem or not.
“Residents should contact JMPD’s Roodepoort office and their problem would be attended to,” explained Supt Minnaar.
Ward 97 Councillor Jaco Engelbrecht suggested City Parks fence off the park.
“I have received complaints from residents that there were drug dealers and vagrants. I followed up with City Parks but they did not respond to my
emails,” explained Engelbrecht.
He advised residents to ensure that they get a reference number every time they report their cases to JMPD.
“SAPS feels that it is JMPD’s problem and that they cannot spend time chasing vagrants while they have to attend to crime incidents,” he said.
Engelbrecht urged residents to escalate their problems to him through his email. “Vagrant problems may decrease in our area, considering that we have the new JMPD regional commander [here],” he concluded.
Details: Ward 97 councillor Jaco Engelbrecht, 082 318 6514.
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