Support grows for Morningside boom gates

AN option to install access control booms in selected roads in Morningside in an attempt to cut down the high incidence of motor vehicle theft in the area, is being investigated by ward councillor Martin Meyer who said he was “testing the waters” to see if it was a viable option.

Meyer said he had met with the station commander at Berea SAPS, Col Nkosinathi Radebe, who had indicated that he was very concerned about the motor vehicle theft in the area. 
“A few of the challenges regarding this are the lack of parking on the Berea, which means many cars are parked overnight on the road, the influx of cars in the area over weekends, the large number of easy access and escape routes into and out of the Berea and the large number of quiet lanes and small minor roads,” he said. 

Meyer said Col Radebe suggested that one step that could be taken to assist was by installing access control (boom gates) in quieter roads and cul-de-sacs.
“Although there are such boom gates and access control points across various parts of the city, it is actually not allowed under current eThekwini bylaws, and as such a street cannot request permission to implement access control. For some reason it also seems to be a politically sensitive matter,” said Meyer.

Before taking this matter to his caucus and the council,Meyer said he first wanted to hear from the community and how residents felt about the idea.
“I am asking for feedback on whether residents feel the city should allow access control to certain streets; whether residents feel this will be a deterrent for crime in the area; what residents’ concerns are regarding access controlled streets and boom gates and whether residents would be willing to contribute financially to access control of their street,” he said.

He urged residents to comment on his post on the Ward 27 Facebook page, or email him their thoughts at ward27@ethekwini.org
Responses to his request on social media seems to indicate that residents a fully behind the idea and would be happy to have access control points installed. One resident said: “Access control would especially work well for those with security guards already on site,” another said “Access control on small side roads would clearly help motor vehicle theft and help reduce ‘spotters'”

A former Westville resident said he had previously been involved in a controlled area in Westville and it was his understanding that while you can’t deny people entry, you can have a manned boom that implies by body language that non-resident vehicles should stop. “Most visitors to the area are happy to stop and provide details but some don’t. Either way, it’s a deterrent,” he said.