GEORGE NEWS - The impact of vagrancy, homelessness and illegal trading on the central business district is receiving serious attention from George Municipality's directorates for protection and community services.
In a virtual meeting held between the municipality and local businesses early in September, the municipality delivered a presentation on its turnaround progress, its view for the future and the needs of the business sectors.
Vice-president of the George Business Chamber, Dr Willie Cilliers, said they received positive feedback on how the municipality plans to restore the town's appearance and overall health.
"This meeting introduced the start of our formal negotiations and the signing of an MOU between local businesses and local government, with regard to points of cooperation," said Cilliers.
Operations
Municipal liaison officer Athane Scholtz said ongoing efforts by the municipality to step up its operations include cooperation from other stakeholders such as national and local government departments, the police, NGOs, welfare organisations and local businesses.
Acting Municipal Manager Dr Michele Gratz said the state of the CBD is important for the socioeconomic well-being of the city: "There is significant interest from outside businesses to invest in George, many of whom will start their research in the CBD, which is why it is important that it is clean and safe," she said.
"Business investment brings job opportunities, which in turn may address some of the social issues on our streets. The municipality's mandate for law enforcement and social services is limited as the bulk of these functions reside with the police and the national Department of Social Development. Municipal departments, however, have longstanding relationships with all relevant stakeholders and work with them continuously to collectively address these complex issues."
Shift system
Acting Director of Protection Services Vernon Petersen said patrolling hours for law enforcement and anti-land invasion officers were recently extended to increase visibility during times when homeless people settle in for the night and vagrants move in.
"The extended hours and increased visibility have had a good overall impact. Offences linked to municipal by-laws such as littering, causing a nuisance, and urinating in public have as a result also decreased and there is a notable difference in the overall appearance of the CBD," he said.
Informal trading
Informal trading on sidewalks in the CBD is legislated, including an annual permit system, and Law Enforcement patrols there every weekday to ensure compliance with municipal by-laws.
Community Services Director Allen Paulse said several sections in his directorate were directly and indirectly involved in the CBD initiative, most notably Cleansing, Parks and Recreation and Community Development.
"Several street cleaning teams are focused on the CBD and main arterials into the city while refuse removal regularly empty litter bins and identify possible illegal dumping spots for clearing and preventative actions," he said.
"The municipality is grateful for support from especially neighbourhood watches to monitor problems associated with "sakkrappers" (bag scratchers). As all people have rights to the freedom of movement and earning a living, this remains a complex matter for which we continue to explore holistic solutions."
Photos: Michelle Pienaar
Many factors
The community development department established a People Living on the Streets Committee in 2018 to address the many factors associated with vagrancy and the homeless.
The committee meets monthly and includes representatives from George Municipality Community Services, the police, Kidstop (street children), Cremhog (homeless adults), and national departments of social development, health, labour and internal affairs.
Community Development keeps a register of homeless people as a starting point for their reintroduction into society where possible. The municipal department also has a monthly outreach at night to identify new people or those who had returned to the streets after being reunited with family or society.
People and organisations interested in getting involved in long-term, sustainable, holistic solutions to issues surrounding the homeless, vagrancy and illegal trading are invited to contact Community Development on 044 802 2000 during office hours.
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