A holistic approach with all the relevant role-players on board is what is needed to address the issue of safety concerns on Potsdam Road in Killarney Gardens.
The motion of exigency with regards to the smash-and-grab incidents on this road was again a topic on the agenda at the Subcouncil 3 meeting held on Thursday last week.
The meeting was held on 17 November at 10:00 in the Royal Ascot Council Chamber, Bridle Way in Milnerton.
Roxanne Moses, Subcouncil 3 manager, told councillors that the matter had been elevated to Regional Inspector Peter Lourens, acting assistant chief of area north.
Lourens indicated that their department currently has a joint or integrated approach ongoing and that they have deployment on the N7 between Plattekloof Road and Malibongwe Drive, focussing on attending to the smash and grabs, as well as the robberies and broken down vehicles in the area.
He said the issue of Potsdam Road and Killarney is more an engineering or roads issue, and that they have had meetings with the roads and traffic departments to try and address these issues – the robots that do not work are an issue, and also the roadway that is so narrow creates problems, he said.
The traffic department has initiated operations to attend to the illegal taxis using this route and are enforcing, he said.
They have also increased visibility in this area.
A holistic approach is needed
Lourens suggest that maybe subcouncil requests an holistic approach with all departments to solve these issues as it is not just safety issues, but that other factors like the condition of the roadway and housing also contribute to the safety issues existing.
Dr Joy Solomon, councillor for Ward 113, said such a meeting will be a good idea, otherwise everyone would be working in silos.
Solomon said Potsdam Road is a single road both ways and that motorists are often static, that they are “basically sitting ducks”.
She pointed out that criminals are aware of this and exploit it, that they smash the windows and grab whatever they can get their hands on.
“We want people to feel safe.”
Solomon said they might have to meet with the provincial department of roads as well.
Short term intervention needed
Phindile Maxiti, Subcouncil 3 chair, said the holistic approach is a long term solution, but that they also have come up with a short-term solution.
He said he supports the meeting that needs to be held, but while they wait for the solution more people might get hurt and that is not what they want.
“We need a short-term intervention.”
Solomon again requested the need for a safety kiosk manned by law enforcement personnel which could help to minimise the crime taking place on the road.
Miquette Temlett, Councillor for Ward 5, asked that she be included in the meeting as the N7 highway borders her ward and that intervention also be taken to rid the area of criminals who use this route.
