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Standing at virtually every intersection, beggars rely on the generosity of kind-hearted people to secure an income. One hand cupped and the other gesturing eating. This has become a staple visual in Newcastillian’s lives during their morning travels.
However, there is a darker side to the local homeless community that needs serious attention.
On Monday, 7 March 2022, Magenta Security inspected hotspots where Newcastle’s homeless congregate and live. Two such places are under the bridge on Harding Street and Allen Street, noting that Trim Park links both.
Magenta’s Jan van Rensburg explained that several burglaries and petty crimes are linked to the homeless, who hide under the bridges after committing the said crimes.
The Newcastle SAPS Communications Department confirmed this in April 2021, highlighting that these individuals would also pretend to be beggars, so they could see what motorists had in their vehicles before striking.
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“While the police do arrest them if found with stolen goods, they are usually released not long afterwards and return to the area. There have also been attempts to relocate them to more structured facilities, but the homeless people often leave these facilities,” van Rensburg says.
This constant struggle has evolved into a major problem, with many homeless people now residing under the two bridges.
During the inspection on Monday, Magenta established that approximately 50 people were living under the Harding Street Bridge, while a further estimated 15 or more lived under the Allen Street Bridge.
Additionally, van Rensburg explains that various individuals regularly try to assist the homeless through donations. But the issues linked to their presence cannot be ignored.
Not only do some of the homeless contribute to crime, van Rensburg emphasises, “Their living conditions are extremely unhygienic and something needs to be done. Paramedics have come out to the bridges on more than one occasion where homeless people have passed away due to the conditions they live in.”
He believes the Newcastle Municipality must get involved, taking the necessary steps to remove the small community from the bridges and relocating them accordingly.
As the Newcastle Municipality does have a role in removing illegal dwellers, the Newcastillian – Online News approached the government entity for comment on the matter.
Remember that in June 2021, the local Municipality promptly removed the squatters setting up shop near the old railway houses in Paterson Street. However, this is not the case with those living under the bridge.
Flash forward to a few days ago. The Newcastle Municipality’s Communications Unit was asked the following questions:
- What is the Newcastle Municipality doing to remove the illegal dwellers living under the two bridges in Trim Park?
- Why has the Municipality not removed these people before? Especially as this is an issue that dates back several years.
- The living conditions in which these people live are deplorable, highly unhygienic, and local paramedics have received calls in the past where a number of these people have died. With this in mind, what can the Newcastle Municipality do to assist these individuals?
- How does the Newcastle Municipality feel these homeless people impact the local community, considering how numerous people are allegedly involved in crime?
Despite efforts to obtain official comment, none was forthcoming at the time of publication. Hopefully, we will receive clarity and thereafter be able to inform our Newcastillian Community.
Until then, it is advised that caution be used when walking in these areas and never to walk alone.
Have you had a bad experience with a beggar? Share your views in the comment section below.
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Comments 1
Hopefully there will be feedback from the municipality about this matter, and that the results to the questions will be published on this forum, soon. As the norm is many questions are asked but no feedback is given.