Vagrants use Phola Park as scapegoat refuge
Vincent Thompson said he has lived in Phola Park for many years and regards the infiltration of vagrants and suspected drug addicts into the settlement as one of the most troubling problems he has faced to date.
VAGRANTS loitering the streets and suspected drug addicts who commit petty crimes are a persistent cause for concern. It is an inconvenience for the public at large, but one that has particularly troubled the community of Phola Park Informal Settlement, which has seemingly become a scapegoat for vagrancy and drug-related crimes on the Bluff.
Vincent Thompson said he has lived in Phola Park for many years and regards the infiltration of vagrants and suspected drug addicts into the settlement as one of the most troubling problems he has faced to date. “It’s not good at all. These guys do bad things as well as ask people for money and then come camp in our area. There are 20 shacks lawfully registered to be here. These guys are not from here and we don’t want them here because not only do they smoke their drugs here but they also commit crimes. They are disturbing our peace,” he said.
Phola Park resident and community leader, Joyce Ngcobo said, “This matter is very upsetting. These guys steal people’s belongings and then flee and hide out in our community and the public assume that it is members from our community who are the culprits. This is a threat to our safety now because at times we have police and other law enforcement coming in chasing the suspects. There was also an incident where one of our community members was accused of housing one of these criminals. It is easy to access this area and the large bush in front of the settlement makes it convenient for these guys to come and go as they please as well as a hideout after committing their offences. The Bluff public is also going to have a negative view of us. It’s not right,” she said.
Fortunately, through the settlement’s residents committee, they have been able to reach out to the Bluff Community Policing Forum (CPF) and ward 66 councillor, Zoë Solomon, for support.
Bluff CPF chairman, Andy Rossell confirmed that beggars suspected to be whoonga addicts cause hassles for the community. He stressed the need to contain the issue by monitoring the area via foot patrols and getting the community to stop giving money to vagrants.
Ward 66 councillor Zoë Solomon recently embarked on a community project to assist with the affected communities of Phola Park and Crossways precinct.
“I had a meeting with the committee of Phola Park residents. I’m going to be dealing with this issue quite aggressively. I started off by cutting down a tree where addicts stash their whoonga, with the assistance of a community member. I also want to put up signage and street pole ads cautioning the public against giving beggars, illegitimate car guards and addicts money. All this does is enable drug addicts and contributes to the bigger problem. These signs would also have important contact details of law enforcement, local organisations and an addiction helpline. We’re supporting and assisting the Phola Park community because addicts are building illegal structures in their area where they smoke their drugs. I also want to engage with Oxford Freshmarket to tighten up their security as well as try to get more police presence in the area. We’ve also got the CPF to try and curb the sale and use of drugs. The issue of vagrancy in Brighton Beach is also being addressed. I’ve had a meeting with people from that area as well and working towards assisting them,” said Solomon.
