Yeoville CPF holds sector meeting
In Observatory, there are several illegal buildings being built, though a number of stop-orders have been issued.
The Yeoville Community Police Forum (CPF) Sector 3 held its meeting on September 27.
The meeting was held at the Observatory Golf Course on Steyn Street. Members of the community who were present at the meeting expressed their concerns about various issues that affect them.
The chairperson of the Yeoville CPF’s Sector 3, Mr Keith Peacock, said the forum must work in phases in order to measure the impact of each issue tackled.
“We need to focus on the outside perimeters of our policing area, then come inside,” said Mr Peacock. The focus will again be on the known hotspots in the area.
“We will have zero-tolerance going into the festive season,” said Mr Peacock. There was more concern around the 10 plus campaign, with residents complaining about its effectiveness.
In Observatory, there are several illegal buildings being built, though a number of stop-orders have been issued. The Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD), who were absent at the meeting, were asked to participate actively in the sector’s plan of action. The Yeoville SAPS was commended for its much-improved visibility in the area.
A member of the community said she has noticed more patrols on her street and urged the police to continue in the same vein. Loitering in the area was also highlighted.
The age-old issue of prostitution in the area was discussed at length. Prostitution has been taking place in the area for over 10 years. “The prostitutes will sit outside my gate, waiting for clients on the pavement and when you ask them to move, they become abusive,” said Mrs Shanaaz Ashraf, who is a resident on Steyn Street.
The prostitutes also get obscene on the street, exposing themselves to passing motorists in the hope of securing a client.
“It gets difficult to drive with your children and answering questions about what they see on the street,” said Mrs Ashraf. The forum proposed an online petition aimed at highlighting the problem in the area. There will also be posters put up aimed at deterring potential clients from frequenting the area.
“There is a lot of apathy in Observatory, people keep to themselves and do not care about what’s happening down the street,” said Mrs Sandy Schneider. It was agreed upon that more pressure needs to be put on the SAPS.
