What must we do about the bin scratchers and homeless people going through our dirt bins on bin collection days? They have plagued the surrounding areas of Rondebosch East, Lansdowne, Kenwyn and Crawford for years. Now it seems the bin scratchers or homeless people are more emboldened when they go through your bin outside your front steps every week, which adds to concerns about safety in the area. Some residents have written to the City Council to express their distress over the situation and for them to enforce certain by-laws that could prevent this situation. Often these activities takes place in broad daylight, practically on the front door steps of homes. Fear often let residents turn a blind eye as bin scratchers freely enter the streets and because there is no one to stop them. But are bin scratchers now becoming a security risk that could allow residents to keep them out of banned areas in communities? Due to the high number of homeless people and lack of services in the area to accommodate the homeless or vagrants, the streets are the only place they can collect food and unwanted goods on bin days. Can this also be linked to the municipality failing the poor in the area? Should we as residents engage the Citys metro police and the municipality to assist patrolling and ensure security around our areas on bin days?
Posted on: Wed, 24 Sep 2014 18:27:59 +0000