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TUESDAY 1 December 2020 | Tel: 021 910 6500 | Email: post@peoplespost.co.za |
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People’s Post
STRANDFONTEIN
Taking back open spaces
Residents have reclaimed ownership of Band Square after crime and drugs took over recently.
SAMANTHA LEE-JACOBS SAMANTHA.LEE@PEOPLESPOST.CO.ZA @SAMANTHA_LEE121
A
group of community workers have taken back their park, which was once synonymous with drug peddling and crime. Captain of the Band Square Block Watch, Alfred Harris says Band Square will now be used for community upliftment. The block watch was formed three years ago. “It is important to note that Band Square was developed with the intention to provide a safe space for community activities, but it was never used for this purpose and, obviously, when something like this happens, elements will move in and use the space in a negative way,” says Harris. “The type of activities that took place previously was boys in the area playing soccer or cricket there, depending on the season.
However, about 18 months or so ago, there was an increase in negative activities. This includes public drinking, gambling and also dagga smoking.” Harris says these negative activities led to residents calling police often, with vans not always available to assist. The block watch was formed as a result of a house that drew negative elements, resulting in a shooting. “Luckily no one was injured. The neighbours got together and we called upon the neighbourhood watch to assist us in setting up the block watch. We have a membership of 20 persons, but active members – doing patrols on a regular basis – is about 12 people,” says Harris. “The establishment of the block watch was not only focused on crime, but also to bring the community closer together.” Harris encourages residents to take back their open spaces. “Communities should not wait, but take ownership. All of us want
to live in a peaceful environment. Well, no one will give it to you, it must be created and that is what we intend to do,” says Harris. “As the block watch we realised that there is not enough recreational space in the areas and that Brand Square was not utilised optimally and it began to attract the wrong crowd.” There were also structural challenges at Band Square, with the lights in poor condition and very little maintenance. “Band Square was used to launch the establishment of the block watch and it was a successful event. This led to the realisation that as a community we should have more activities on Band Square as a community get-together place,” says Harris. Harris says the residents understand budget constraints and did not want to wait on the City of Cape Town to make a difference in their open spaces. They met with local ward 43 councillor, Elton Jansen, and
discussed the immediate change they could see with community intervention. “I think communities should take initiative for their own areas, in all aspects. It actually wastes time to wait on the municipality to do everything in our areas. There are things that we can do for ourselves. It is after all our area. When we start to do things in our area it changes the atmosphere in the area. Suddenly people who never would ordinarily speak with one another form new relationships,” says Harris. “The block Watch members also decided that we work with those in our neighbourhood who want to work with us - so we don’t wait on anyone, we move forward. They will join us as we move and we have seen this happening over the weekend. Also, to remember that when one starts these initiatives it also contribute towards reducing negative things from happening. At long last we want to see that neighbours show more care towards one another.”
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