Most of us who have lived in Cape Town a while know Obs as a special, different style of place. Many Cape Town people remember Obs fondly as a place where they partied hard in their youth. I believe that most residents want Obs to keep its character.
Obs is a mainly residential district. The first liquor license was issued in 1991 but licenses have been easy to obtain. Often it has been just a case of filling in the forms, paying a small fee and waiting for the form to be processed through the system. At present there are 52 current licenses, some allowing trading to 4am. This has lead to a clubland, which has grown up in Lower Main Road, right in the heart of our residential area. There is considerable disturbance to the residents, who are sometimes living right next door to noisy clubs, operating to the early hours. Some of the businesses do not comply with the law as regards – keeping to licensed hours and noise regulations, serving liquor to drunk people, allowing fighting within their premises which spills out onto the pavements, all resulting in broken glass, litter, urinating in our streets – you name it. Above all the drug trade thrives in these conditions and with all the young people who visit the clubs. Many residents are gatvol with this state of affairs and have taken to monitoring, recording and reporting the circumstances of incidents to the Authorities. The Woodstock CPF together with all the relevant Authorities and backed by the Obs Police Sub Forum, Improvement District, Neighbourhood Watch, Civic and Business Forum, is meeting with the clubs which are not complying with the current law on Wednesday 22nd September. They will explain the action which is being taken immediately. In 3½ months time strong new legislation comes into force under which businesses can be closed immediately after a number of complaints. Also licenses will not be renewed unless the business has a satisfactory record of behaviour. Rather than harsh action being taken it would be wonderful if all businesses and residents would work together for the prosperity and future of Obs. The OBSID have an excellent vision for the future of Obs. Take care, David David Raphael 072 065 7223 Chairperson OBS NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "The Observatory Neighbourhood watch" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected] To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/obsnw?hl=en
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