Death at drug hotspot is no deterrent for addicts
Residents from Ivy Park and the area around the park on the corner of Thabo Mbeki and Dahl Streets say not even death stops people from using the park as a drug hotspot.
POLOKWANE – Residents from Ivy Park and the area around the park on the corner of Thabo Mbeki and Dahl Streets say not even death stops people from using the park as a drug hotspot.
This comes after a man died of a drug overdose in the park on June 17.
Review recently reported that residents alleged drug deals were taking place in the park from around 08:00 until 19:00 seven days a week, with the busiest time starting from 15:00.
According to the residents, the park became a drug hotspot in March and since then, they have been living in fear for their safety.
“The park used to be called Lovers’ Lane, because couples came to spend time with each other there. There were always boys playing soccer there at night. Now, it is not safe anymore. The boys don’t play soccer anymore and the only men and women who come to the park, are those who want to get high,” one of the residents said.
Residents also fear that the drug addicts would break into their homes for money to buy their drugs.
“We don’t feel safe and it seems like the police do not care. They never come when we call and, since the article appeared in the paper, the police never visited the park until Friday. They raided a house in the area and also visited the park where they searched people, but no arrests were made,” another resident said.
He added that it was business as usual for the drug dealers.
“The only change is, the big guys don’t come anymore, they now use young girls to deliver the drugs. We suggested that the police put up a satellite police station, but our request falls on deaf ears,” the resident said.
Col Ronel Otto, provincial police spokesperson confirmed that the police ran a crime prevention operation last Friday to strengthen police visibility.
“Residents can go to their station commander, cluster commander or sector commander and hand their request for a mobile base camp or contact point and this request will then be forwarded to top provincial management to look into.
“Residents must join the Community Policing Forum (CPF) structures at their local police stations and attend crime sharing information meetings.
“These meetings are held by the management of the police and the communities, which are held on a regular basis. All these concerns can be fully discussed and addressed at these forums,” Otto said.
