I like what Marc has proposed and agree whole-heartedly with Stefan.
I believe that one of the reasons that sqatters camps flourish along the
banks of the Liesbeeck (in this case) during the dry months and are not
"stamped out" is because not enough people know that they can call a
dedicated phone number to report/complain and 2ndly because not enough
people actually do/would report.
useful numbers (24/7):
For illegal structures on Council owned land call 0800 225 669
Displaced People's unit (DPU) - 021 596 1999
Original email:
-----------------
From: Marc Turok [email protected]
Date: Tue, 12 May 2015 12:36:01 +0200
To: [email protected], [email protected]
Subject: Re: [obsnw] Liesbeek River Cleaning A[n Observatory]
CommunityProject - TWENTIETH CLEANING DAY, Saturday 9 May 2015 Feedback
Thanks for your response Stefan.
I have no illusions about what you are saying.
I believe that the reason that this has not been stopped is that homeless
are protected in some respects and one has to act as responsibly as
possible, shift the problem out of the problem area and then treat it
firmly where dealing, consuming and drug related prostitution is the
prevalent reality, which I do agree is the main issue.
The reason its not stamped out I assume, is the lack of information, lack
of evidence, lack of containment, lack of political will, fear of being
accused of being cruel to homeless etc.
It just remains unsolved.
I am not proposing endless care above the basic transition and action
needed to solve the problem through stong and clear rules being imposed as
you state, once the place is cleared and given direction.
Regards,
Marc
From: Stefan
Sent: Tuesday, May 12, 2015 12:08 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [obsnw] Liesbeek River Cleaning A[n Observatory] Community
Project - TWENTIETH CLEANING DAY, Saturday 9 May 2015 Feedback
Hi, I know a lot of them. Most of them ( almost all ) are drug adicts and
hopeless cases, sorry to say that.
I observed drug dealing, consuming and drug related prostitution there.
There are people in this country
who deserve help before anybody cares about this people.
This people are living there bcs. its free and not controlled by social
workers or anybody else. They would not
use a trash bin even if its just right next to them.
Besides littering they disturb the trees, some of them already burned down
bcs. of fires right next to them.
I`m sorry to say that, I work with such people in Switzerland where a huge
amount of money is spend for them
( free flats, therapy, free drug substitution, regular hand money ... ) .
Even this does not help them - there is only
less crime as long as they are pampered.
What would help are only strict rules similar to beach rules : no camping,
no fire, no alcohol.
Sorry that I destroy illusions :-( ... , Stefan
On 5/12/15 10:57 AM, Marc Turok wrote:
Hi Sybrand, Ricardo and ALL...
Thanks so much for what you have done now and previously!
I am very grateful for this clean up!
I was wondering if there may be a way to make things easier and more
sustainably successful?
My proposals as a start to raising possibilities...
1. Stop the littering before it gets into the river.
There are so many people who set themselves up to camp on the river,
under the bridges, in the bushes. Many if not most arrive with big bags of
garbage they take out of bins, bring it to their nest, sort through things
to eat and other goods AND LEAVE THE REST TO ROT in / next to THE RIVER!
In my view this is illegal and destructive behaviour.
I believe it would be better to provide dry, secure and supervised
sleep-over space as a temporary alternative for a maximum two to three
nights each to be met by a social worker, assessed and assisted to move to
a more promising alternative lifestyle. I have suggested that payment for
the short term food and shelter could be temporary work to pick up and
clean up some of the hot spots (other litter mess), before it gets into the
river system!
2. Set up a ‘stepping stone’ supported bridge over the weir, with a
catchment grid and possibly another at the upstream side of the N2 Liesbeek
bridge, also with a catchment grid, that can be cleared every second day or
more, so all litter floating down the river is trapped and cleared BEFORE
it spreads all over.
There will still be a need to get a clean up in other parts since wind
and local littering will still happen, but I believe the problem will be
substantially reduced.
The regular clean up at catchment grids and ‘vagrant nesting spots’
can be a preventative job creation project that addresses the cause and the
symptoms.
3.The proposed temporary shelter facility I propose is under N2 bridge on
mountain side of Liesbeek Parkway, where there is a managed toilet facility
already existing. I suggest this large space could be be well utilised,
made safe and isolated from the road system, fully transparent except for a
wind protection barrier. The facility could have additional toilet and
shower inside a lockable fenced area similar to under Mill Street Bridge in
Gardens. It could be divided into three or four areas so groups can feel
safe, men separated from women and the sober from the intoxicated where
needed. There would need to be rules about lock up time and a system for
supervision.
When this temporary facility has been replaced with a better alternative,
the space can be used for an all weather skateboard facility for teens in
this part of the world, not wanting to go all the way to Gardens, not
needing to do their tricks in public roads, irritating others with their
‘click- clacks’.
What do you think about it?
Marc Turok
From: Sybrand Strauss
Sent: Monday, May 11, 2015 10:24 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: [obsnw] Liesbeek River Cleaning A[n Observatory] Community
Project - TWENTIETH CLEANING DAY, Saturday 9 May 2015 Feedback
Hi all,
Thank you to everyone who came out and helped. We picked up 111 bags of
litter!
The next cleaning day will be on the 6th of June. (We don't yet have a
supervisor for the day - please contact me if you're interested or want to
know more.)
A special thank you to the Obz KWIKSPAR for keeping us hydrated, Friends
of the Liesbeek for their support, and Ricardo Sá for starting this
initiative.
Sybrand Strauss
071 067 1962
PS. The "Trash Picker of the month award" goes to Werner Steyn who came
armed with 5 litter bags for some "meditation", but simply couldn't stop
once he got going. Werner, you're an unstoppable machine!
PPS. Sorry if I missed any volunteers - we're covering a very large area
and it's easy to get lost in it.
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