Operation Clean-up yields 4 600 black bags of rubbish

Gallery

GEORGE NEWS - Phase two of Operation Clean-up swung into action in the first week of October in areas such as Borcherds, Conville, Parkdene and Lawaaikamp, with cleaning teams from Community Services moving in to clear up illegal dump sites and raise awareness around the dangers of illegal dumping.

A total of 4 600 black bags of refuse was collected and cleared over a seven-day period.

Colouring-in-competition

Conville library assistant Hazel Springfield set up two interesting displays explaining the consequences of illegal dumping.

Four local crèches took great delight in participating in a colouring-in competition run by Conville Library. Parkdene Crèche, Monica's Nest, Siembamba Speelgroep and Sonneblom Kleuterskool each received a children's book, Disney: Die Klokluier van Notre Dame, for their participation.

Road markings

Civil Engineering Services took the opportunity to walk along all of the main sewer lines in the areas of Borcherds, Parkdene, Lawaaikamp and Conville. Two problems were immediately addressed. A catch-pit repair was undertaken in De Villiers Street, Borcherds. In a number of instances road markings and street signage was either reinstated/ or repaired.

Road Safety

The municipal traffic department participated in Operation Borcherds, Conville, Parkdene and Lawaaikamp on Friday 1 October with the team stationed outside Conville Clinic.

Mayor Leon van Wyk visited the team and reviewed the technology at the department's disposal. The new mobile traffic vehicle is fully equipped with automatic number plate recognition cameras (ANPR) which can view an oncoming vehicle, and indicate whether there are any outstanding traffic fines linked to the licence plate.

The fines can be printed inside the mobile bus. If the fine is a warrant of arrest, it is immediately payable, either on the bus or by escorting the individual to the traffic department. For any other fines, the driver is notified of the fine and cautioned to pay before the due date.

Photo gallery: Operation clean-up a success

"This vehicle allows our traffic officials to issue drivers with notices of their outstanding fines," said Van Wyk. "Outstanding fines are always a cause of great concern, for Council as well as the municipality, due to the expenditure on traffic policing. We know that fines for misconduct by road users are issued, but some of them just do not get paid. It is important that drivers adhere to road rules and pay fines when notified to avoid the process of a summons that will follow due to non-payment."

Mayor Leon van Wyk and George traffic officer Lorendo Damons watch the automatic licence plate reader in action in the mobile traffic unit.

The mayor was impressed by the devices available to test drivers who might be under the influence of alcohol. Ruben Lakata, the assistant director of road safety management at the Department of Transport and Public Works, gave a step-by-step explanation of how the disposable breathalyzers must be used and the meaning of the different colours that will display, e.g. green indicates that there is alcohol present and yellow that there is no alcohol present.

"It was a very proud moment for me as mayor of our municipality to see our traffic officials at work and to witness the technology in action. With the Covid-19 Alert level having been changed to level one, and a number of relaxations having been effected, that does not mean that we should ignore the rules and regulations of the road. We want our drivers to keep safe, as well as drive safe."

Van Wyk tested goggles that simulate the effects of drunk driving. On viewing the video of himself afterwards, he quipped that it's "very sobering" to see how poor one's judgement becomes when under the influence.

Daantjie Kat was on hand to hand out colouring books, crayons, reflective bands and more to local children to raise awareness around traffic safety.

Mayor Leon van Wyk met with the cleaning crews on Friday 1 October to thank them for their hard work.