The opening of a “gang-free zone” park in Libra Road in Ocean View has given residents hope that their children will be safe from gang violence in the area.
On Saturday 5 February, PR Councillor Aslam Richards opened the park in memory of three young children who lost their lives during gang crossfire in the community two years ago.
One of those victims, Emaan Solomons, was onl
y seven years old when she was shot dead in February 2020.
Richards says all parks in Ocean View are rundown.
“This park is notorious; it is right in the centre of different gangs, so this is the first place I would want to place a park. Emaan, I knew the little girl because my mom stays in the same road. She lost her life just two doors down the road. If this park was here, then she would have been playing here. There is no safe space for our children.”
Richards says the park is also in memory of baby Zhania Robyn (6), and Aqeel Davids (9) who lost their lives in separate gang-related incidents.
“The park is dedicated to them, to create a safe space so that it won’t happen to another parent because, as a parent myself, I can feel for those parents.”
Zhania’s mother, Cindy, says protecting children with a safe space is vital.
“I am baby Zhania’s mom. It’s very nice what Aslam is doing because there is nothing else like this. It can prevent what happened to my child as well as Emaan and Aqeel. I know it was different circumstances but this is to protect the children and that’s the most important aspect.”
Richards says local gangs have come to an agreement to stay out of the parks.
“I’m happy that the local gangs agreed that they are going to stay out of the parks.”
He adds that parks have, sadly, been taken over by gangs which has left children without a safe space.
“Our parks are basically taken over by gangs, so parents are telling their children not to go into the parks because it’s dangerous. Children are playing on street corners. When there is gang activity and if anything happens, they are caught in the crossfire.”
He adds that the whole community came together to assist with creating the safe space.
“We had so much community involvement and I would like to thank everybody who came along and came to help paint. The whole community is really out in their numbers today because this is needed.”
Richards says an important feature in the park is that all emergency contact numbers of local police are readily available.
“The park has the emergency numbers inside the park; the ambulance, the fire brigade, and the police numbers. The children can actually learn while they are playing.”
Resident Margaret Baker says she is happy to see the new park.
“My heart goes out to children. To see the little ones living in fear like this. It’s not nice, especially for children. I’m so proud that they did something like this on this piece of land. When my grandson hears gunshots, he runs in and that’s how we keep them inside.”
Resident Adiela Smith says the new space will, hopefully, be safe for children to play.
“We would like this to be a safe space for the children because these are the areas where gangsters hang out and these are the places where shootings are happening.”
Glancing at the children on the playground, Smith says no more children should be lost to gang violence.
“These are children that need to grow up and there are pictures of children who have been taken away.
“We hope and pray that this is going to be safe for the children and all the other areas of Ocean View, not just this area. At the end of the day, the whole Ocean View needs this.”
