FORWARD THINKER of Van Riebeeck Park writes:
A “Well Done!” and a “What About?”
The “Well Done!” That’s for Kempton Express confirming (November 2) that stolen wheelie bins are to be replaced free of charge.
Many residents could not understand why the municipality thought it could get away with charging home owners for stolen municipal property. Yes, it might be a bit of a schlepp to toddle off to your nearest police station in order to swear an affidavit and to obtain a case number, but it’s surely got to be worth a little of your time in order to avoid having to pay for a replacement bin.
Mind you, if the number of anticipated thefts reaches the expected numbers, police officers are going to get swamped and since bins are unlikely to be recovered (and perpetrators brought to justice), police figures for solving crimes are going to look bad and the courts will face the likelihood of more prosecutions if thieves are tracked down and charged.
Assuming a custodial sentence is not given, what sort of fine might be imposed on the thief?
Now the “What About?” In recent weeks, able-bodied residents have been able to collect their wheelie bins from either a distribution point in their suburb or their nearest waste management depot.
Those disabled, retired/elderly, without transport, etc, were offered the free-of-charge home delivery service. Can the municipality confirm that, going forward, should a non-able-bodied person have his bin stolen (and complying with the required reporting procedures), the municipality will again offer the free home delivery service?
And what about those able-bodied residents who might later become disabled, qualify as now elderly, or no longer drive? Will they then qualify for free home delivery?
How would they go about obtaining this?
A final thought. What happens should your stolen wheelie bin be recovered, and (via the ID number) be returned to you?
Assuming a replacement one had already been obtained from the municipality, should the original one or the replacement one then be returned to the council (assuming the home owner does not want to keep and pay for both? I’m sure other readers will have some thoughts and questions.
