NPO Better Bedfordview has called on businesses near and around the Bedfordview Town Hall to unite in an effort to preserve the environment.

Addressing business owners, Better Bedfordview chairperson Marina Constas explained that the NPO has grown exponentially over the past three to four years.

“We are not prepared to sit down and allow our town to become the slums of the future. We have decided that the cavalry is not coming.

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“This truth comes from my experience on ward committees and as CPF chairperson a number of years ago,” Constas.

Over the years, Better Bedfordview has fixed over 950 potholes, repaired kerbs, painted, and continued to maintain areas that may have been neglected by the municipality.

Constas said that although Better Bedfordview aims to get stronger, she is concerned with the way the area between Van Buuren Road and Kings Road looks.

“I feel that the area has become tatty. I don’t like the way businesses are being showcased in this area.

“I’m exceptionally unhappy about the look of the town hall. I believe that as community members, it is time to take the town hall back; it looks neglected and terrible.

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“The problem is we cannot afford to have vagrants, hobos, and beggars. We are not saying that we must get rid of these individuals, but we need to find alternative solutions, but we cannot encourage a society of beggars on the front doors of businesses,” said Constas

She said over the years, Better Bedfordview has helped find alternative solutions for some of the vagrants and beggars in terms of social housing, shelters, and finding employment for some.

One of the proposals to help manage the vagrants, as brought forth by Leon de Bruyn, was to profile and vet the vagrants and car guards. He said the vetted individuals would then be issued wth bibs to identify them and work with security companies.

Bedfordview CPF chairperson Collin McKenzie urged local businesses to work together with local security companies.

“Let’s use the local people who look after us, who have an interest in our community and have invested in it.”

He said Better Bedfordview is a phenomenal success story, but it’s important to work together as a community.

Following the meeting, a committee was established to assess, develop, and formulate strategies to help improve the area.

For more information or to get involved with Better Bedfordview, email info@betterbedfordview.org.za