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The Edgemead Neighbourhood Watch (ENW) made a renewed call to residents last week to not support or give handouts to vagrants in the area.
Mark Richards, ENW spokesperson, wrote on their social media page recently that the influx of vagrants into the area continues unabated.
“This is because they are actively being encouraged by residents who insist on enabling them, either wilfully or out of ignorance,” he wrote.
Richards forwarded photographs to TygerBurger of some of the items found by their members when out on patrol. These include syringes, needles and home-made weapons. “The syringes were picked up over the course of about four days and handmade weapons were confiscated from vagrants,” he told the newspaper.
This information was also shared with the community.
“We have posted many incidents of ENW patrollers clearing away drug paraphernalia left at sleeping spots in our parks and on property verges. Apart from attracting vermin and the danger the used syringes and remains of drugs impose, our patrollers also have to face the disgusting remnants of said vagrants’ morning ablutions,” Richards wrote.
He asked residents to consider the consequences of their actions.
Support the City’s Give Dignity initiative
The City of Cape Town encourages residents to support its Give Dignity Campaign – an initiative that seeks to raise awareness around the plight of people living on the street. The initiative emphasises the importance of giving those in need a hand up, rather than a handout, according to the City.
“Instead of a cash handout, which often increases the risk of prolonged homelessness, we encourage you to make a donation,” the City explains.
Some of the shelters the City supports include The Haven, Safe Spaces, Bonne Esperance Refugee Project, Moira Henderson House, Elim Night Shelter, Loaves and Fishes, Owl Shelter, and the Somerset West Night Shelter.
According to the South African Police Service’s latest crime statistics for the fourth quarter (January 2023 to March 2023) drug related crime has shown a decrease in the Bothasig policing precinct.
A total of nine incidents were reported over this period – 12 less such incidents compared to last year over the same period when 21 cases were reported. The illegal possession of firearms and ammunition however increased by one incident.
