Beware of criminal elements masquerading as homeless

THERE is an influx of bad elements into our city and, guess what: they are infiltrating the homeless. These people also physically abuse some of us and there have been people robbed by them. The Company’s Garden is, so to speak, a no-go area. Rumour has it that there is even a hit man out there. His last victim was (allegedly) in Woodstock not so long ago.

There is no security during the night. We even have members of the public robbed in the park. A lady returning from work around 9pm was one of the latest victims. Yeah, sure, women should not be walking alone at night. But then again, our city should be safe enough to do so.

The security company guards are nowhere to be found.

I simply do not understand why a hot spot like the Company’s Garden would be neglected. Are we waiting for a tourist to be raped or killed before we act?

How ironic is it that homeless people get woken at night, to be searched for drugs, while real, life-threatening incidents happen and nobody’s there. It is not like the city doesn’t have the money. Our last budget money was not even spent in full.

We also know that some guards and security officers live out of the pockets of some dealers and criminals. The users get caught with empty tik packets and locked up for 90days. The dealer goes on. No arrest at all. It is like he is kept there as bait.

Time is wasted in moving the homeless from pillar to post. There is a certain time of the month where the police force needs to hand in information to management. Stats is one of them. During this time, there is a spike in arrests in town. It makes everybody look busy. We are seen as criminals... allow me to ask how many homeless people arrested were actually convicted? By now, law enforcement officials should know who the real homeless people are.

There are SAPS members who play cowboys and crooks. They think they are above the law. They are doing the police no favours as it is does damage to their reputation. They shame those who really are out there to serve and protect us. I have always been outspoken about the relationship we should have with the police, security staff, the CCID etc. They fulfil a vital role in our communities and we must nurture a positive relationship with them. We are not all criminals. Not all the drug users out there commit crime to support their use. Not all of us engage in aggressive begging. Not all of us are part of the bad elements.

We need to focus more on our street kids. Some adults out there are using them to beg, steal and then take whatever they get. I have seen a grown-up man take food from a child. The system is failing our little ones. Shame on us!