Moot neighbourhood watch tackles public drinking
The AfriForum neighborhood watch’s Moot branch recently launched a project to tackle public drunkenness in the area.
The AfriForum neighborhood watch’s Moot branch recently launched a project to tackle public drunkenness in the area.
Last week they started patrolling at the corner of Annie Botha Avenue and Viljoen Street, according to neighbourhood watch chairperson Werner Schultz.
He said the patrol was managed by AfriForum with the Rhibo homeowners, residents and business organisation.
“We decided enough is enough and that we should do something about the problem,” said Schultz.
“Rhibo’s chairperson is Gert van der Walt, who is also an AfriForum member.”
Schultz said they hoped to show people who consumed alcohol at the side of the road that they were not happy about it.
He said public drinking caused “all kinds of problems”.
“People drink alcohol where they can be seen by women and children.
“It also smells terrible because they use the nearby bushes as public toilets.”
People who misuse alcohol at these streets were also noisy.
“Legislation hasn’t changed much in terms of drinking in public,” he said.
Public drinking also attracted other problems to the area, he said.
“We just don’t want these sorts of problems any more.”
Schultz said they hoped to keep the area much cleaner with the patrol.
“We don’t mind when people are being sociable, but all the problems this brings are the issue.”
“These people should go somewhere else. They can go drink at a pub or a private residence.”
He said public drinking not only presented a problem to pedestrians but also to homeowners and business owners in the area.
“We estimate that there are six housing complexes in the area which everybody complains about,” he said.
Schultz described the campaign as a success and said they hoped to continue with their action this weekend.
“We are hoping to make some of the garden beds here smaller and make the parking space bigger.”
“This will help to improve visibility in the area, especially so that anyone can’t hide behind any of the plants or bushes.
“We want the Moot to be a clean neighbourhood,” he said.
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