I am a 20-year-old girl, living in Krugersdorp. I walk to Key West Shopping Centre every day. And every day I see the same thing at the dam and around the skate park: children, some not older than 10, smoking cigarettes and weed.
Every day, I see the same thing. I’ve even heard them say “Pass me another joint” – and this coming from the mouth of a child!
Parents … are you aware of what your bundles of joy are doing during the weekends and school holidays? Do you know just who they’re friends with, and what they’re really getting up to!?
It makes me so sad and angry to see this, and I’m not even 21! Yet children less than half my age are doing things I don’t even do.
Please, monitor your children! What they do today can ruin their lives tomorrow. And then you’ll ask yourselves just where you went wrong.
Marketing Manager of Key West, Michelle Papastefanou, responds:
Key West Shopping Centre does not promote or condone underage smoking, drinking, the use of drugs or public misbehaviour. It is not acceptable behaviour in any community.
Key West does not, under any circumstances, condone such behaviour or any transgression of the Law. We have a close relationship with both the local CPF and the SAPS, who conduct regular random patrols at the skate park in order to curb such behaviour. We have high-tech camera surveillance in place, as well as security staff patrolling the area, and a Rules and Regulations board is situated at the Skate Park.
Our policy for any suspected underage transgressors is that the individual is calmly and respectfully removed from the venue and the next of kin of the individual is contacted. In serious situations we involve the police.
We appreciate that the customer reported the incident to the newspaper, however, we urge all customers to report any similar incidents to the nearest security guard, or directly to Centre Management in order for us to investigate and take action immediately.
