SAPS trying to address Rhodes Park crime
The Cleveland SAPS is trying to address crime concerns relating to Rhodes Park.
Last week the EXPRESS published an article in which a resident stated that the police and City Parks no longer patrol the park.
Ms Belinda Brooks, a Kensington resident and frequent user of Rhodes Park, said the park is full of vagrants and drug dealers. She also said people are mugged there on a regular basis.
These concerns were brought to the attention of the EXPRESS in the past by residents.
Last week Constable Mpho Mashakane, the Cleveland SAPS communications officer said, “The Cleveland SAPS has taken note of the community’s complaints regarding crime in Rhodes Park. We have been receiving complaints of people being robbed by armed criminals inside park.”
She said a meeting was set to take place last week between the Cleveland SAPS and Johannesburg City Parks and Zoo (JCPZ) to find solutions to reduce crime and to increase security in the park.
“Our main challenge has been that the one vehicle which patrols the park also patrols the whole of Kensington. The patrol van cannot be parked inside the park the whole day. However, it is a hotspot area for criminals and it will be closely monitored. No stone will be left unturned when it comes to crime,” said Const Mashakane.
In the article published last week, Ms Brooks also raised concerns about the state of the park.
She described it as being unkempt. Ms Brooks also raised concerns about the dam, which is full of litter, people fishing despite the no fishing signs and ducks being caught and eaten.
Her concerns were forwarded to Ms Jenny Moodley, from the JCPZ. No comment has been received. At the time of going to print, it was also not known if the meeting had taken place between the JCPZ and the Cleveland SAPS and what the outcome was.
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