Lawlessness, and various factors contributing to it, is a concern for residents in Vredenburg.
Sammy Springleer of the Vredenburg Security Business Forum said disregard for law and order is self-evident in the increase in suspicious-looking characters roaming the town at the end of the month and the first week of Sassa payments.
“Vagrants are sleeping in town, among them children who, it is commonly known, are being used in criminal acts,” he said. “The police are visible but not really sure what modus operandi to use to deal with these problems.”
Springleer says the community feels hopeless and are at the mercy of these criminals, and are being held hostage by them and their crimes.
Another resident from Vredenburg, who chose to remain anonymous, said what she had noticed over the last few years is alarming.
“One of the biggest problems are the street children. Their numbers are increasing and, along with the growing numbers, is increasing criminal behaviour.
“My humble opinion and suggestion for the problems at nights are that the police conduct stop and searches removing anyone found on the street without a valid reason. Now the issue will probably be where do the homeless go and sleep.”
The residents said it does beg the question of what the Saldanha Bay Municipality and police are doing to stem the tide of lawlessness and not allow “this beautiful town” to degenerate to a ghost town?
Tania Helfrich, spokesperson of the Vredenburg police, said with the available resources the situation is being monitored. “Children are referred to the Department of Social Development and people are searched and dealt with.”
