Safety first this festive season
Another project has been the vivid display of by-law posters in and around the town.
The Margate Ratepayers’ and Residents’ Association (MRRA), together with the Margate Business Association (MBA), have teamed with Ray Nkonyeni Municipality Law Enforcement and Margate Saps to enforce a zero tolerance, yet safe and family-friendly environment, in Margate this festive season.
MRRA and MBA struck up a partnership two years ago in an effort to revive the town and bring about more law and order.
So far, it’s been a mission focusing on increasing the safety and security of residents and holidaymakers, in and out of season, as well to promote the much-needed tourism.
Barry Smit, MRRA chairman, said Margate has long been considered the flagship town of the South Coast.
“We want to make sure the standards of this holiday town reach an international level, that’s the goal and we are taking it a project at a time,” he said.
One of these projects has been the creation of a Joint Operational Command Centre.
The old beachfront tourism office has been revamped and now houses this centre.
The facility now has two holding cells, which will used to detain suspicious or deviant individuals.
Another project has been the vivid display of by-law posters in and around the town.
Fifty of these posters were donated by MRRA and MBA and have been placed strategically on poles at the beachfront and in the CBD.
Jo-Anne Wentzel, chairman of MBA, said she was excited about this project.
“We hope locals and tourists can see we are proud of our town and coast and are making efforts to improve it all the time, especially through the efforts to implement zero tolerance as well as the enforcement of bylaws,” she said.
The second wave of Covid-19 has thrown a massive spanner in the works for the coast’s longed-for and much-needed tourism season.
However, this has not prevented local businesses and law enforcement from making every effort to maintain the image of the town.
Police presence has been visible and judging by comments on various social media groups, the response to complaints quite quick.
“It’s a long-term project but we have been encouraged over the past few seasons with positive and uplifting comments from holidaymakers. We are working together and will continue to do so,” said Jo-Anne.
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