Nagle Square ‘fast becoming hell’

RESIDENTS at Nagle Square are up in arms about ‘goings on’ at a nearby shopping complex and the behaviour of its patrons.

A concerned resident, who wished to remain unnamed for safety reasons, described the situation as having deteriorated and life in the square as “fast becoming hell”.

Residents have called for assistance from authorities, as people buy alcohol from the bottle store, drink in public and drive away after they have had their fill. Loud music blares from their open car doors, and loud screams and shouts are the order of the day. Showing disrespect to fellow members of the community, patrons urinate in public, within 10 metres of ablution facilities, according to the resident. A major concern is for the safety of their children, who have to walk past the area after school. Recently some pupils have been spotted hanging around the area. Residents claim police have ignored the situation and request them to conduct regular patrols of the area and enforce the laws.

Montclair SAP’s station commander, Col Riaan Vorster said: “We are not ignoring the situation. We have sent the fire and health department to examine the place and they have cleared it and they are not doing anything wrong. Drinking in public is no longer an offence and we cannot charge anyone for drinking in public. Regular patrols are conducted to ensure nothing happens while we are there and to deal with drunken, disorderly behaviour. We have done all that we can.”