Vagrants on the sidewalks of the Goodwood Library and Clinic are becoming a problem, with residents concerned about the health risks they present. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
According to residents there is ongoing criminality in the form of openly selling drugs, prostitution and fencing of stolen goods. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The vagrants\u2019 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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The vagrants also have animals on site. \u201cOn one occasion a dog got loose and started attacking a young boy who was walking past with his skateboard,\u201d said Lindiz van Zilla, a resident of the Goodwood area.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe 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,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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. \u201cThere are now parts of the sidewalk completely unusable to pedestrians,\u201d he said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOn 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.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
And, while there have been numerous offers of assistance to the people sleeping at this location these have been continuously refused,\u201d said Van der Ross. \u201cThe 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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cPeople do not show any interest in moving off the streets.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhere officers come across any form of criminality or bylaw transgressions action is taken, such as making arrests, or issuing fines,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAny person who witnesses a transgression can also provide statements and help identify the suspects, so that appropriate action can be taken,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Vagrants on the sidewalks of the Goodwood Library and Clinic are becoming a problem, with residents concerned about the health risks they 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