Sunnyside crime hotspot park to be fixed
“We are rehabilitating Walkerspruit and planning on cutting all the vegetation and fix the lights, because the park has become a crime hotspot and we want crime to decrease in Sunnyside.”
Plans are underway to repair a park in Sunnyside.
The park is situated between Vlok and Vos streets and is known as a criminal hotspot.
DA councillor ward 92 Abel Tau said on Wednesday he was concerned by the state of the park, as it was in a dilapidated state.
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“We are rehabilitating Walkerspruit and planning on cutting all the vegetation and repair the lights, because the park has become a crime hotspot and we want crime to decrease in Sunnyside,” said Tau.
An abandoned house, which is believed to house nyaope addicts and sex workers, is situated near the park.
There is a bridge near the park and dirty water running under the bridge.
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Some homeless people have used the water to bathe themselves in full view of the public.
Tau said mostly women, students and young children were targeted by criminals for their possessions and in some cases for sexual assault.
When asked as to what plans the city had in place for the homeless in the park, Tau responded: “We plan on moving them to a shelter.”
“The purpose of us fixing the park is because we want young children to come here so they can play, as there are no playgrounds in the flats which they call home,” said Tau.
“Young children need to be given an opportunity to play.”
Potholes around the park were repaired this week to accommodate motorists, who wished to come and relax at the park.
“We repaired the potholes at Vos Street so that motorists can park with ease and knowledge that their vehicles will not get damaged,” he said.
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“We are also appealing to anyone who can provide us in any manner in improving this park, they are welcome to contact me on 071-265-5040.”
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