Call for security guards to be deployed to Glenwood

VAGRANTS and petty criminals who have been chased from Ward 28 and the Albert Park areas because of increased policing and security presence in those areas, have moved into Glenwood which is experiencing an increase in crime, vagrancy and prostitution.

Now local Ward 33 councillor, Nicole Graham, is appealing to eThekwini Municipality to allocate UMZ security guards to Glenwood in an effort to curb the sudden surge in crime. Graham said she had approached Martin Xaba to ask that UMZ guards be deployed to the area, and was told her request would be considered.

“The area has recently been plagued with high incidents of petty theft and crime. This is partly due to large numbers of vagrants in the area that have moved from the areas where policing and security has been increased like Albert Park and Ward 28. This was highlighted at the Albert Park meeting where Metro Police conceded they are being increasingly swamped from complaints around Ward 33,” she said.

She said there was also a massive problem with prostitution which was not being sufficiently dealt with and drastically reduced the character and safety of the ward. Graham said the ward was becoming increasingly busy and had become a secondary central business district of sorts.

“There is plenty of foot traffic, businesses and transport hubs in the lower Glenwood and Umbilo area and it is always busy. There is also the increasingly busy Davenport precinct which features a number of restaurants and bars and there are a number of schools in the area.

“The character of my ward is rapidly deteriorating. It is important for the city to take active steps to safeguard the people of this ward, as well as the valuable residential character and rates base that Glenwood and Umbilo offer the city. Glenwood is a beautiful place with so much potential, but it is looking so scruffy lately. Hopefully some visible security will deter criminal elements, restore confidence in the city’s abilities and initiate some ‘broken window’ rejuvenation,” she said.

Guy Perrins, chair of the Glenwood Community Watch, said the request had his full support. “It is badly needed as crime has escalated rapidly over the last five weeks and continues to do so,” he said.

Heather Rorick, chairperson of the Bulwer Community Safety Forum agreed.

“We think the request for UMZ Guards to help in problematic areas and with the added problem of overspill of people from Whoonga Park into the Glenwood area, especially into our parks, and neighbourhoods, is great. This problem is very worrying for residents. The Bulwer Community Safety Forum receives complaints on a daily basis from concerned home owners and business owners with regards to the sudden increase of vagrants, street children, beggars, bogus car guards and prostitution in our area.”

She said the area was becoming a huge health risk, as it was extremely smelly and fly infested due to people using roads, pavements and even doorsteps or driveways of homes or businesses as toilet facilities.

“People also use these areas to engage in illegal activities, all in full view of residents and children in the area. I thank the ward councillor for taking this stand and requesting the much needed help in cleaning up the Glenwood community and making it a cleaner and safer area for all to live in,” she said.