DEAR Editor,-
With reference to the article ‘Sheppie CBD needs help’ (SCH October 4)
There can be no denying that the CBD needs a good clean-up and improving parking facilities would certainly go a long way towards improving overall efficiency.
ALSO READ : Sheppie CBD needs help
However, the ‘crimes’ and ‘criminals’ identified in the piece are hardly professional syndicates.
These are children stealing clothes and bicycles and doing whatever they can to get the cash they need for a temporary feeling of happiness.
Apart from practical difficulties that comes with criminalising them across the board, what do we do with them, assuming they will keep living in our community for decades to come?
We can’t really deny that as a community, they are our children too.
Every culture and religion supports the principles of love, compassion and peace, and it is surely possible for us to work towards more constructive solutions to the problem.
And apart from a handful of troublemakers, the majority of homeless people here are peaceful and quiet and many reduce local waste by collecting recyclables from rubbish bins to sell to recycling centres for 30c/kg), while others try to sell crafts or avocados or whatever else they can find to raise cash.
The Green Net is a group of South Coast residents who work towards environmental upliftment, looking for ways to improve the quality of life for all in our region – for all our people, as well as the ecosystem that supports us.
We would love to work with local businesses and individuals to improve conditions in the CBD. Recommendations would include:
• Upgrading existing parking facilities in ways that maximise efficiency with minimal environmental impact (or indeed in ways that benefit air quality);
• Creating a ‘hub’ for the indigent and homeless using low-cost, repurposed materials. This centre could provide information about job opportunitie, accommodation, food and clothing in exchange for work (cleaning streets, filling potholes or gardening); and counselling services. Many businesses and churches already provide soup kitchens and more, and many valuable collaborations are possible;
• ‘Greening’ the CBD by planting trees (especially fruit trees), vegetables and other edible plants on pavements and rooftops and in open spaces. There is no need or logical reason for anyone in Port Shepstone to go hungry – or, for that matter, to live in an ugly place.
Anyone who would like to explore these ideas is welcome to contact the author at 084 9872018.
HELEN DODGE
Umtentweni
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