A palm tree in the park at Ficus Street and Pittosporum Avenue has been a thorn in the flesh of Thorton residents.
This came about as many complaints have been logged for its removal as it attracts the homeless who sleep under it.
Edwin John La Grange Thornton resident, calls it dangerous for children and unhygienic. He and a few other residents have requested in the past that they remove it from the park. La Grange told TygerBurger that the homeless sleep there and sit in the park, which causes a mess.
“I have asked a few to move on, and just a day or two later there are new faces. I have caught a man and a woman naked under a blanket there once,” La Grange says.
According to La Grange it’s filthy under the tree and it’s being used as a toilet. This is a continuous problem due to the palm tree.
There are two trees, but they never get pruned, La Grange says.
He adds that there were people that trimmed the towering trees, but they said they required gloves to trim these trees due to their spike-shaped leaves.
As a result, people are reluctant to take their children to this park.
“I can’t even take my four-year-old to the park,” La Grange says.
Pre-covid requests were made to erect a fence around the park, but it was ignored. All that La Grange could manage was for the City to cement close to the children’s play train and the three pipes because it became a sleeping place for vagrants.
“They come to clean it and a few days later it is in the same condition. They also sleep behind it. It just attracts filth and squatters.”
‘Most neglected park’
La Grange stated that this park is the most neglected in Thornton, if you have a look and compare them to the other parks in the area.
Wayne Dyason, spokesperson for law enforcement, says officers attend to all complaints received.
“Officers addressed the issue on several occasions. It is often found that homeless people do not want to take up assistance and support given by the City of Cape Town.”
According to Dyason the property owner could also implement measures (as this is private property) – such as requesting a security company to assist. Trespassing on private property could also be reported at the nearest police station.
“Law enforcement officers will attend to this complaint again and see how they can assist,” Dyason says.
