In Pretoria’s ‘Old East’ suburbs, such as Menlo Park, especially around 13th Street, residents are facing a level of crime that has changed their daily life significantly.

What used to be a quiet neighbourhood has turned into an area where robberies, illegal trading, loud late-night activity, and drug dealing are increasingly visible.

But instead of stepping back, the community has stepped forward.

A petition now signed by more than 700 people and handed in at the metro has amplified their demand for consistent law enforcement and the restoration of order.

Ward Councillor Siobhan Muller has supported the residents’ mobilisation.

She believes the most important principle is that people must stay involved rather than resign themselves to fear.

“Visible crime grows when communities feel powerless,” she said. “The moment people start speaking up and reporting incidents, patterns can be recognised. I tell residents to keep phoning the metro police and SAPS, even if it is two or three times a day. Reporting is not bothering anyone. It is the only foundation for real action.”

Among those driving grassroots efforts is a long-time resident often referred to locally as a staunch community crime fighter. Names are being kept anonymous on request.

He devised a system to increase visibility around nightlife establishments, especially during big rugby events when criminals target patrons walking home.

His idea began with a simple observation.

“People leaving with e-hailing and walking home get robbed on 12th, 13th, and the surrounding streets of Menlo Park. How does it start? Inside the club,” he said.

“Tip-offs. People pointing out who is drunk, who is alone, and who has valuables. I decided we must make a plan. So, every rugby match we arrange for reaction officers from local security companies. A free burger and a cool drink as a token of appreciation for their efforts keeping the community and, especially, our young people, safe,” he said.

“They come into the establishments to collect it, and then they keep an eye on what happens inside and outside.”

He explained that criminals rely on predictability: knowing when there is no security present, when the crowd thins out or when a patron steps out alone.

“For big games, we have got it covered, but the criminals do not know when the teams are coming and going. About eight security members move in shifts. Two cars are parked nearby. Criminals on corners notice that there is more visibility. They think twice now before committing crimes.”

He sees this work as more than just reacting. It is about rebuilding the community.

“You need to get your hands dirty,” he said. “Business members, residents, everyone. You cannot wait for someone else. Servant leadership is what we need. Community cohesion. I started braais on 12th Street to bring people together again. We look after each other like family.”

He described how the local social cohesion was better formed: “We got a team together. Street champions on WhatsApp groups. People on the group who keep their eyes open. You cannot stand by when your own family is unprotected. That is why I joined the Community Policing Forum Sector 2 as a volunteer patroller, too.”

Others in the neighbourhood echo his concerns. One resident describes how the area changed: “This used to be a safe place. The shops down the street were always open when I was a kid. Now, most of them are closed. Some were damaged. It is painful to see a neighbourhood lose its heart.”

A parent living near one of the local schools adds, “Education is my passion. We have two schools here. Drugs are being sold to learners on 13th Street. Some broom sellers are used for tip-offs for the drug lords about security. They tell their friends when a deal can go down. It will never stop unless we keep pushing.”

Another resident said the community is determined to understand the sources of information criminals rely on.

“It is important to know where the tip-offs come from for the robberies or the car thefts. Someone is feeding them details. If we know how they get the information, we can stop it before it happens.”

He confirmed that a few stings in this regard have taken place, and hotspots of crime and individuals have been identified and are being placed under scrutiny.

Volunteer patrols have now become routine, especially on weekends.

A member of the Old East Security Forum explained their role: “We increase visibility on Fridays and Saturdays. Not to confront anyone, but to show eyes are watching. Crime hates attention.”

Education about holiday safety has also become part of the local strategy. Residents are encouraged to use technology discreetly rather than leaving cameras or devices visible.

“You do not want criminals to see what systems you have. Keep it subtle,” noted one homeowner.

Businesses have joined the effort. Retailers, landlords, and security companies have held meetings to co-ordinate their roles.

A shop owner near 13th Street said, “We see everything. We see who sells, who gambles, who hangs around for hours. We have worked with the CPF Sector 2 and SPAR’s security teams to make sure we are alert. The broom sellers mix with the gamblers. It is a tapestry of crime. But if we are united, they feel the pressure.”

Still, frustration remains about the limits of what police can currently enforce.

The petition circulating through Ward 82 reflects this urgency. It states: “We, the undersigned, residents of Ward 82, demand immediate and repeated action to stop crime, illegal street trading, illegal sale and use of alcohol in public, as well as gambling, that take place daily on 13th Street, Menlo Park.

“The City of Tshwane and SAPS Brooklyn must act now, and consistently, to enforce laws and by-laws, remove illegal traders, stop the illegal sale and use of alcohol in public, and co-ordinate departments to restore law and order and protect residents and shoppers,” the petition continues.

“Regular and repeated action is required to stop this lawlessness.”

The petition, now with 702 signatures, continues to grow as more residents refuse to let the situation worsen.

Many say they joined not only to demand solutions from authorities but to demonstrate that they themselves are willing to participate in shaping a safer neighbourhood.

Muller remains firm in her encouragement of this proactive spirit.

“Every call matters. Every report helps build a pattern. The community is strong when united, and that unity is the greatest force against the lawlessness we’re facing.”

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