Concerns over law and order at Albertskroon pool
Ward 86 councillor Chanelle Fourie Shawe highlights the urgent need for law enforcement in Albertskroon amid rising illegal activities.
Ward 86 councillor Chanelle Fourie Shawe has raised concerns regarding the deteriorating state of law and order in the Albertskroon area, particularly around the local pool and its surroundings. She highlighted the presence of a scrapyard and illegal accommodations that pose safety risks due to their poor construction.
“Numerous contraventions are happening here, including loitering and illegal informal trading on the pavements,” Fourie-Shawe stated. “I believe there is also drug dealing occurring in the area.”
The councillor noted that these issues have persisted since she took office in 2021 and have been a problem for many years prior. She pointed out that the lack of visibility from the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD) has exacerbated the situation, as many officers have been reassigned to other regions, particularly the inner city.
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Fourie Shawe explained that the by-law management unit within JMPD, which is responsible for addressing by-law contraventions, has been centralised. This means that enforcement officers do not report directly to the regional commander, leading to resource and prioritisation issues. “The teams are not big enough, and this is a significant concern,” she added.
In response to these ongoing challenges, Fourie Shawe plans to initiate a petition to formally address the issues in Albertskroon. The petition process in Johannesburg allows for the immediate issue of reference numbers through the provincial structure, enabling residents to escalate their concerns if they do not receive a timely response at the municipal level.
Read more: Keep it safe around the pool
“I will continue to press JMPD to recognise this area as a hotspot,” she affirmed. “While the city has a responsibility to act, I also encourage residents to take ownership of their community and become more active citizens. Many are frustrated by the lack of action, but I want to thank those who are already doing their part.”
The publication contacted JMPD for comment and will update the article once they’re received.
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