A combined meeting was held between safety stakeholders in w

• Author: Roshan Abrahams roshan.abrahams@acm.co.za
• Published date: 01 March 2023
• Publication title: Southern Mail

The meeting was called by Ward 65 councillor Donovan Nelson

According to Mr Nelson, the spaces where the homeless live, have become drug and crime hot spots.

“This has led to many residents complaining and raising the matter with the councillors. The meeting has serious implications for Grassy Park and is a pivotal step in the right direction.”

Mr Nelson said it was important for all stakeholders to address, “these complex matters, and it’s why we invited the SAPS, Metro Police, Law Enforcement, the CPF and even our neighbourhood watches.”

Colonel Dawood Laing, Grassy Park police station commander, told Southern Mail it was important to identify the homeless hot spots, such as Victoria Road, especially in front of well-known businesses, in Reddy Avenue, in front of the library, in 5th Avenue, at the City Council office, at Grassy Park Clinic, in Rooikrans Avenue and next to the canal, and Gillray Crescent, next to Cecil Ford.

However, Colonel Laing said the people squatting at these hot spots are not homeless.

“Vagrants are identified as people without a home or any form of protection. These people squatting there are mostly gang members. They are for sure dealing in drugs as drugs have been found numerous times on them and in their structures. They are definitely consuming drugs and alcohol and partaking in sexual activities of which prostitution cannot be excluded.”

Colonel Laing said the majority of these people do have family in and around Grassy Park.

“They don't want to comply with house rules and discipline. Since their occupation, economical crimes in the area of Victoria Road, between Klip and 7th Avenue and Lake Road have increased.”

The types of crime of which Grassy Park SAPS have to regularly deal with include theft of gate motors, cable theft and other household items.

“House break-ins and theft, theft out of motor vehicles and street robberies have also been reported where these persons have been identified.”

Colonel Laing said two rape cases and a number of assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm cases were also reported. Gang violence has also started as a direct result of them as one gang that was quiet for a long time found momentum again and some of them were arrested for murder and attempted murder.

Colonel Laing said in the latest crime incidents there were break-ins at businesses in Victoria Road and Lake Road as well as two robberies and assaults.

Dealing with the culprits had been challenging for police and Colonel Laing...