Vagrants on the sidewalks of the Goodwood Library and Clinic are becoming a problem, with residents concerned about the health risks they present.
According to residents there is ongoing criminality in the form of openly selling drugs, prostitution and fencing of stolen goods.
The vagrants’ drunkenness and unruly public behaviour, which includes aggressive and threatening behaviour towards those seeking to make an honest and informal living in and around the Goodwood Mall, is a great concern.
Health hazard
The vagrants also have animals on site. “On one occasion a dog got loose and started attacking a young boy who was walking past with his skateboard,” said Lindiz van Zilla, a resident of the Goodwood area.
“The people use the drain outside the clinic as a toilet, which poses a serious health hazard to staff and sick and elderly patients who make use of this public health facility,” he said.
Van Zilla also explained how bricks and paving had been removed on both sides of the street to use as makeweights to hold structures down. “There are now parts of the sidewalk completely unusable to pedestrians,” he said.
“On Tuesday 23 January a woman emerged from one of the tents, crossed the street and proceeded to defecate in open and full view of the public on the broken section of pavement in front of the church.”
McDonald Street a known hot spot
According to Patricia van der Ross, Mayco member for community services and Health, McDonald Street is a known hot spot for the Street People Programme Unit team that operates in the area.
And, while there have been numerous offers of assistance to the people sleeping at this location these have been continuously refused,” said Van der Ross. “The team is not in any position to force clients to accept assistance. This location has been reported to Law Enforcement for further intervention, but the individuals continue to return to the area.
“People do not show any interest in moving off the streets.”
Wayne Dyason, spokesperson for City Law Enforcement, said Law Enforcement area staff in collaboration with the Displaced Persons Unit, regularly conduct operations in the area.
“Where officers come across any form of criminality or bylaw transgressions action is taken, such as making arrests, or issuing fines,” he said.
Dyason means the public can assist them by reporting incidents to the Public Emergency Communication Centre (PECC) so officers can be dispatched to the hot spot if need be.
“Any person who witnesses a transgression can also provide statements and help identify the suspects, so that appropriate action can be taken,” he said.
The PECC can be reached by dialling 021 480 7700 from a cellphone and 107 from a landline to report any criminal activity or emergency. In instances where people are threatened they should report it to the South African Police Service, as it is a criminal offence.
