Community rallies to reclaim Vancouver Park in Greymont
The residents of Greymont came together to discuss possible solutions to better protect their open spaces from crime.
Due to the severity of the issues surrounding Greymont, residents banded together with local officials to address home invasions, broken bottles, and indigenous trees creating hiding spots at Vancouver Park. They discussed possible solutions, like how they plan to restore safety to the open space.
Read more: The fight for a cleaner Emma Park
The park has become a hotspot for displaced individuals, creating encampments among the overgrown indigenous trees, which serve as hiding spots for perpetrators of crime.
“During the day, we are detecting significant activity along property boundary walls,” said Clive Maher, director of SCP Security. “While not always resulting in house robberies, perpetrators are targeting items such as brass taps, lawnmowers, bicycles, and electronic devices accessible through windows.”
In preventing further deterioration to the park, Maher proposed the implementation of security measures, in line with the success at Alberts Farm.
The solution includes
• Installation of a clear view fence surrounding the park’s perimeter,
• Establishment of controlled access points, and
• Implementation of sunrise-to-sunset access management by SCP Security.
Also read: Linden residents join ARO, PEETS, and SCP Security in Emma Park clean-up
Ward 86 councillor Chantelle Fourie-Shawe voiced that there is non-adherence to public, open-space by-laws across the City of Johannesburg. “Community management of public spaces has proven to be the most effective solution over the years,” she said, highlighting the current administration’s shift in priorities, away from maintaining parks.
Shawe further reported that they see more and more how communities are taking active roles in the management of their own parks, due to limited municipal resources and an increase in security challenges.
She added that she will be committing to the following:
• Facilitating meetings with affected stakeholders,
• Acting as liaison between the community and City Parks, and
• Expediting necessary approvals.
Greymont resident Renette de Munnik expressed concerns regarding the fire hazards from the encampments, along with the increase in risk of thievery to neighbouring houses. “One house has already had their solar panels and cameras stolen, with intruders entering while residents were asleep,” she reported.
Munnik stated that they will continue to proceed, under the guidance of their ward councillor, with steps on managing the vegetation and security infrastructure, in order to preserve Vancouver Park’s beauty while ensuring safety for its residents.
Follow us on our Whatsapp channel, Facebook, X, Instagram and TikTok for the latest updates and inspiration! Have a story idea? We’d love to hear from you – join our WhatsApp group and share your thoughts!
Related article: Dog friendly parks to visit in Joburg
