Growing safety concerns have sparked renewed calls for the reopening of the Parklands Satellite Police Station, with political leaders and residents warning that limited police visibility is fuelling crime in the area.
Nicholas Gotsell, DA Constituency Head for Atlantis, Blaauwberg, Table View and Dunoon has confirmed that a petition is being launched to pressure the Provincial Police Commissioner to urgently reopen the facility.
This follows a recent brazen shooting in Parklands, which has intensified concerns about safety in the rapidly growing suburb.
“This is a closed-down satellite station that once served the people of Parklands,” said Gotsell. “Why close a station in an area that is well populated and growing exponentially? We are told it is due to a lack of resources, but that is not a good enough reason.”
Crime and visibility concerns
According to local leaders, the lack of visible policing was a major contributor to rising crime levels. Gotsell said the station appeared largely inactive despite claims that it is being used for specialised services.
“Only visible policing and a proper plan will curb the crime in Parklands,” he said.
Residents have echoed these concerns, pointing to an increase in robberies, burglaries, drug-related crime and gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF).
For many residents, the incident has reinforced concerns that crime in Parklands is becoming increasingly visible and normalised. Allegations of open drug dealing around Park West Shopping Centre on Main Road have sparked particular outrage, with residents claiming individuals were being approached openly in public spaces during the day. “This is no longer something that happens in the shadows,” a resident wrote in a letter to TygerBurger.
“People are being approached in broad daylight in front of families and children.”
Residents warned that the situation is worsening and a lack of intervention risked allowing criminal networks to become further entrenched in the area.
Community-driven push
Ward councillor Sue van der Linde said the push to reopen the station was being driven by the community itself.
“A sustained rise in crime, coupled with reduced police visibility, has made this urgent. The recent shooting in the area was the last straw; residents deserve a faster, more visible policing presence.”
She said a functioning local station would significantly improve response times and act as a deterrent.
“A local station meant quicker response times, improved visibility and stronger community policing. It became both a deterrent and a rapid-response hub.”
Petition gains momentum
The petition, backed by residents, neighbourhood watches and community-policing forums (CPFs) is gaining traction, with signatures increasing daily.
“The community has been the driving force,” said Van der Linde. “People are actively calling for action and accountability.”
Residents are being encouraged to sign and share the petition as well as get involved in local safety structures and consistently report crime.
Policing stretched by rapid growth
The ongoing closure of the satellite station has been attributed to resource constraints within the police, but concerns remain about the long-term impact on service delivery.
Ward councillor Jonathan Mills acknowledged the strain placed on policing due to rapid population growth in Parklands and surrounding areas.
“The scale of development in this area has placed significant pressure on existing policing resources.”
While supporting the reopening of the station, he cautioned that it must be properly staffed to be effective.
“There is strong support for reopening, but not at the expense of already limited resources at Table View Police Station.”
Mills added that the long-term solution may require expanded policing infrastructure, including the possibility of a fully fledged police precinct.
Residents speak out
Local residents say the lack of visible policing is affecting their daily lives,” said one resident. “I don’t feel safe walking in my area anymore. We hardly see police vehicles like we used to.”
“Crime is definitely increasing,” Peter Solomon said. “A nearby house was broken into recently; we need more police presence. “The station has been closed for too long. If it reopens it will make a big difference to response times. We can’t rely only on neighbourhood watches. We need proper police support on the ground.”
Call to action
With crime concerns mounting and the population continuing to grow community leaders say urgent intervention is needed.
“The message is clear,” said Gotsell. “The people of Parklands want their police station reopened.
“As the petition continues to gain support, pressure is mounting on authorities to respond and to address what many see as a critical gap in local policing.”
- Visit https://petitions.da.org.za/p/reopen-saps-satellite-station to sign the petition.
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