Sir
The so-called festive season so yet another round of parties in Coronation Park with New Year’s Day attracting a record number with blaring music, revving engines and loud noise that disrupted the peace and quiet of residents who pay rates.
Again, most of these party-goers who leave behind mounds of bottle and litter are not from this area. They use it, mess it and then leave it.
Worryingly, at the height of the party on January 1 when there were over 100 people partying, the police did not answer the switchboard. One of the residents drove down to the charge office and was told by a lone member in the office that he was the only one on duty and the van was out.
When the shift-changed a Warrant Officer did report to the scene but wanted to know from residents what should he do as the police had ‘no contingency plans to deal with Coronation Park’. He was told that the municipality must simply apply the by-laws (the notices are there in the park which the party-goers simply ignore) and then there would be no issue. Unfortunately, the police are not clear about the by-laws. The challenge in 2018 is for the authorities to implement these by-laws which, we are told by the Court, were promulgated by the Government Gazette in 2016.
The law and order break down in this town is simply because the laws are not enforced. What about the security cameras we keep reading about? Surely this will be another tool to control crime with?
If the authorities really care about those who pay rates and taxes, they should take these complaints seriously or face the consequences.
Residents living adjacent to the park
