A combined safety meeting was held in Grassy Park on Tuesday 20 February, to address crime hotspots where street people live.
Police, Metro Police, law enforcement, members of the Grassy Park Community Policing Forum (CPF) and neighbourhood watches were in attendance.
Ward 65 councillor Donovan Nelson said the current spaces occupied by homeless people in Grassy Park had become drug hotspots.
“Currently, the spaces where (street people) live have become drug hotspots and grounds for criminal activity. This has led to many residents complaining and raising the matter with councillors. Tonight’s meeting has serious implications for Grassy Park and is a pivotal step in the right direction.
It’s important for us to get everyone in the room when it comes to these complex matters.”
Meanwhile, Grassy Park Police Station Commander Col Dawood Laing said most people living on the streets of Grassy Park on 5th Avenue and Victoria Road were not displaced, but rather chose to live on the streets.
“Most of the people have families and parents who live in Grassy Park. At home, they have rules to follow, such as not being allowed to use drugs, so they choose to sleep on the streets.”
He adds that crime, drug trade and gangsterism have since escalated. “They sell their drugs. Some are young, maybe from the age of 15 or 16 while others are older and sleep on the streets with their babies.
They are not sleeping on the street out of desperation but because of choice. We have had the department of social development offer services, but they do not want help. There are people who are genuinely homeless who look for help, but it is not this group, they are committing crimes.”
In two years, since the displaced group of homeless people has been sleeping on the streets of Grassy Park, there have been two rapes, one murder and “a few assault cases”.
“They have been here since 2020. They first slept in front of the police station and then they damaged a police vehicle.
“Some moved to the field in Rooikrans Avenue with informal structures while others are in 5th Avenue and Victoria Road. Others moved close to the library and post office and there are also groups camping in front of businesses.”
Laing further explained that criminal activity has escalated and businesses are suffering.
“Gang violence has also flared up as well as theft and robberies.”
According to Laing, it is difficult to findsolutions as the Human Rights Commission (HRC) is strict on the rights of displaced people.
“Legislation must not only protect the rights of those who are displaced but also the rights of business owners and the community because they also have rights. There has been a negative impact on businesses and the community. Property prices are also decreasing because of crime.”
Laing concluded that there are many criminal elements within the group of 200 displaced people.
“These people commit crime and drug trafficking. Now there is also gang fighting in the economic hub of Grassy Park. An interim court order has since been granted to remove some of the homeless off the streets.”
