Getting Margate back on the map
Plans are underway to establish a Special Rating Area for the town.
Margate residents, business owners and ratepayers agreed in principle to the establishment of a Special Rating Area (SRA) for the town at a public meeting held last week.
Once set up, the SRA will see a small levy introduced – only after a 51 percent majority vote from ratepayers – to improve safety and security and general maintenance of the area.
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The information session focused on getting Margate back on the map by identifying and confronting challenges, working towards mutual goals and implementing solutions together.
“There are roleplayers behind the scenes driving Margate but they cannot do it alone, they need more help from the community,” said Barry Smit, chairman of the Margate Ratepayers’ and Residents’ Association (MRRA)
The general theme of the evening was ‘nobody cares as much about Margate as those living in Margate’.
The key roleplayers are MRRA, Margate Business Association, Margate CBD CPF and Margate Crime Watch in conjunction with Margate SAPS, Ray Nkonyeni Municipality, law enforcement and security firms.
Mr Smit also spoke on the ‘broken window theory’ where if there are signs of crime and anti-social behaviour, it encourages further crime and anti-social behaviour.
Some of the safety and security challenges currently facing Margate are residential burglaries, theft, loitering, vagrancy, vandalism, drugs and prostitution.
In his presentation Mr Smit said that one of the key factors affecting investor confidence is security. However, he said safety starts with the community and that law enforcement cannot do it alone.
Safety and security projects were discussed, among them SAPS reservists and peacekeepers. “The visibility of an SAPS member is a deterrent but to create a safer environment 10 or more reservists are required for maximum effectiveness.”
Another project was to dedicate armed response patrols for swift reaction to criminal reports and have security officers serve as peace officers.
Also discussed was the placement of parking attendants, marshals and bylaw monitors in the CBD, beachfront parking areas and at the beach who will be properly attired and equipped with a baton and radio to be the ‘eyes and ears’ of law enforcement.
Other security projects include WhatsApp groups to report suspicious activity; night vision surveillance cameras; road closures in residential areas; CCTV monitoring and a command centre and drone surveillance.
The idea is that the SRA will fund these projects.
On acquiring a mandate from ratepayers to establish an SRA an application will be made to council to get the initiative going.
After council approval there will be a lobby for votes of 51 percent or more from ratepayers to get it off the ground.
The SRA will be a non-profitable company and the funds (the levy) will be managed by board elected members. A similar project is being run successfully in Ramsgate.
“One can’t put a price on safety and security. The idea is to enhance security, increase investor confidence, improve tourism and livelihoods. Margate has lost its spark and heartbeat. We can work together to take it to new heights,” said Mr Smit.
He said the meeting was the first of many public meetings to come and urged everyone to talk to their neighbours, friends and family.
“We cannot do it without your support,” he said.
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