#CaughtInTheAct: Woman defecates on CBD sidewalk
Fed up and hell-bent on fighting back, several staff members claimed they were sick and tired of alleged sex workers defecating and urinating in front of stores on Harding Street.
A proverbial blot on Harding Street’s landscape; befouled by the shameless.
April 12 marked the day the staff of local businesses in the Central Business District reached breaking point.
Fed up and hell-bent on fighting back, several staff members claimed they were sick and tired of alleged sex workers defecating and urinating in front of stores on Harding Street.
Calling on the Newcastle Advertiser to review footage of an alleged ‘lady of the night’ urinating in front of a building, it appeared their frustration was not unwarranted.
Setting foot on the sidewalk, the lurid stench emanating from behind an electrical box was almost too much to endure.
Upon further investigation, a significant amount of faeces was found on the wall and pavement. In addition, unused condoms and a green coffee mug were discovered in a pot plant further afield.
“It’s deterring customers from entering our stores,” claimed a staff member. “It’s not exactly a good advertisement for our businesses.”
The culprit
The business owners and their staff alleged a prostitute, who frequently made use of the area, was to blame.
CCTV footage from April 12 shows a woman squatting on the pavement and relieving herself in between the entrance to two stores at about 4.22am.
“It’s not the first time she’s gone about her business in front of our shops. We’re tired of having to clean up after her!”
On April 9, one of the business owners went so far as to have a floodlight installed near the store’s entrance. However, this did not deter the brazen vulgarian.
“She frequents the area almost every night. There are toilets at a nearby garage; why not be ladylike and use them?”
According to staff, police were contacted on the morning of the incident. When officers arrived, they informed staff there was nothing they could do about the culprit’s repulsive actions.
Newcastle SAPS was contacted once footage of the incident was submitted to the Newcastle Advertiser.
The Communications Department confirmed police attended the scene, and claimed patrols would be conducted in the area during the day and at night.
In terms of criminal charges, the police said every case would be dealt with separately, depending on the type of offence.
“Incidents will be treated on its own merits, for example, if [the suspect is] found to be drunk or in possession of drugs.”
Police further instructed business owners to seek clear-cut directives regarding the incident from a local court.
“Also, they can hire a security service to patrol the area, and if they find any suspicious person they can contact the police,” concluded the Communications Department.
What do you think can be done to deter alleged sex workers from tainting the reputation of Newcastle’s streets? Email your thoughts to ncschools@caxton.co.za
