All eyes are on Paterson Street
The Paterson Street park was allegedly the root of the problem, but the municipality is not without a plan.
There’s no denying the Paterson Street ‘park of shame’ had somewhat of a facelift in recent months, but what progress is being made in the long run?
Newcastle Municipality recently resolved to send senior Community Services officials to eThekwini and Johannesburg Municipality in an effort to acquire information and form strategies to contain and control the problem of prostitution.
Although a date for the visit is yet to be set, it promises to be a steep learning curve for officials and indirectly, the community.
It was recently reported a security guard would face the mammoth task of ensuring the ‘park of shame’s’ reputation was restored to a certain extent.
“A security guard will be deployed as of April 1, 2015 on 24-hour basis (day and night),” said Pieter Marais, the Community Services Chief Security Officer (CSO).
“He will be in contact with his control room and in the event of any eventualities, he will be assisted by his response team and the SAPS if the need be.”
Even better news for the park? The municipality went on the record to confirm CCTV cameras would be installed during the month of March. With Paterson Street park now under ‘floodlight’, an obvious obstacle comes to mind.
How will action be taken against perpetrators caught on a not-so-candid camera?
“The common law rule applies, namely, the one who alleges must provide proof,” claimed the Mr Marais.
“It must be noted prostitution does not take place at the park in question, this is merely a gathering point of prostitutes where clients can pick them up. They then drive off to conduct their business elsewhere.”
The Paterson Street park was allegedly the root of the problem, but the municipality is not without a plan.
“We trust our efforts will elevate most of the complaints that emanate from the Paterson play park area.
“We will have to apply an integrated approach in addressing this issue. We will, therefore have to involve our legal advisors, SAPS and the Prosecution Authority on a way forward,” concluded Mr Marais.
The community commended Newcastle Municipality on their consistency in making necessary upgrades to the park.
If the municipality can keep the momentum going, who knows what the future may hold for the ‘park of shame’.
