The Bluff residents call for stricter law enforcement on beaches
The Bluff Ratepayers and Residents Associations and concerned residents are calling on law enforcement officials to tighten down on crime prevention and the lack of by-law enforcement.
IN a bid to address escalating safety issues and lack of by-law enforcement at Ansteys and Brighton beaches, The Bluff Ratepayers and Residents Association (BRRA) hosted a street meeting at the Ansteys Beach car park on November 25, drawing around 180 concerned residents.
Also read: 8 tips for staying safe at the beach this summer
Norman Gilbert, chairperson of BRRA, echoed the frustration of the community regarding inadequate crime prevention and the absence of active by-law enforcement by both SAPS and metro police at the beaches.
Gilbert detailed reports from lifeguards and residents about a range of issues plaguing the beaches.
“We have received reports from the lifeguards of drug usage and the challenges they face trying to control excessively drunk members of the public wanting to swim. Families want to bring their toddlers to play in the paddling pools and find them full of teenagers and young adults partying and drinking and the loud, abusive behaviour of these people has intimidated families who now stay away from the beaches,” he said.
Gilbert added the general environment was not conducive to a fun, relaxing day at the beach anymore and that something needed to be done about it but the agencies responsible for providing that safety were absent.
Gilbert expressed his frustration with law enforcement agencies citing resource shortages as an excuse for inaction.
“I am tired of hearing the leaders of our crime prevention and by-law enforcement agencies telling us that they are under resourced and therefore unable to provide effective policing. It is their job to make sure they provide the required level of protection for our community and they are failing. We must never accept the current situation and the authorities must do better. I will not stop until the situation improves,” he said.
The turnout for the street meeting underlined the deep concern of The Bluff community. Gilbert urged residents to remain united and vocal, emphasising the importance of collective action in driving change.
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