City Parks´ Official to the Rescue
Dear Mr Williamson,
A few days ago, I was walking along the edge of a park off Steward Drive in the Bellevue East area talking to my friend on my cellphone. This guy, wearing a hat like Chester in Yizo Yizo, bounced up from nowhere and held me up at knife point. He took my cell and demanded my bag. I argued with him. I didn´t want him to take my ID or flat keys. I said to him, ´Take my cell and my money, but give me my sim card back. What are you going to do with my sim? Also leave me with my ID and keys.´ He told me to shut up, and said he would stab me. I was terrified but for some reason I wasn´t prepared to give him my things. While we were arguing, three of the City Parks tree-planting guys who´d been working in the street ran up and grabbed my mugger. One of them used my cell to phone the SAPS. Next thing, I had to make a statement at the police station.
If it hadn´t been for the JCP staff, I might have lost everything--possibly even my life. I was in such a state that I never even asked their names, and wish to thank them through you.
I realise, thinking about it afterwards, that I made three basic mistakes:
1) Talking on a cellphone in a public place made me vulnerable.
2) Carrying my bag with all my possessions over my shoulder was asking for trouble. I have subsequently bought a bag that I strap across my body. Also, I no longer keep all my valuables in the bag. I keep my keys elsewhere.
3) It is crazy to try to argue with your attacker. I was lucky this time, but another time I might not be: I will simply hand over my stuff without a murmur.
BUT THEN, I DON´T EXPECT THAT THERE WILL BE A NEXT TIME!
Please say thanks to your tree-planting unit,
With best wishes,
MISSY NYEMBE
Besides the issues Missy Nyembe has raised in her letter to MD Luther Williamson, here are a few tips to ensure that your next park visit is a safe and happy one.
DON´T
Feed the animals.
Break plants, trees or park equipment.
Start a fire in a restricted area.
Take your dog off its leash.
Be disrespectful towards other park users.
DO
Adhere to signage in your parks.
Stay alert.
Report any wrongdoing in your park.
Mail To: rmkhwanazi@jhbcityparks.com to tell us about your experience.
Respect your local surroundings.
Watch the weather.
Remember that SAFETY is firstly a personal responsibility. Enjoy your next park visit.
DRAFT PARK SAFETY POLICY
Johannesburg City Parks (JCP) is in the process of developing a Park Safety Policy. Send your comments and ideas about this policy to ooliphant@jhbcityparks.com
PURPOSE OF POLICY
To ensure there is a strategy for implementation in Joburg that will allow safe and secure facilities. All applicable legislation will be enforced in JCP´s facilities. These laws must be executed in conjunction with all implementing agents.
POLICY OBJECTIVES
To implement by-laws, ordinances and Acts.
To increase the safety of users by ensuring higher utilisation of facilities and thereby enhance the quality of lives of our customers.
To create awareness among users of the facilities.
APPLICATION
Train JCP wardens in aspects of law enforcement, and adopt safety measures and methods to reduce, control or remove threats to user safety.
Established Direct lines of communication with all implementing agents.
Identify various areas of jurisdiction between the Metro Police, SAPS and JCP to make it easier to report incidents.
The implementing agents will enforce legislation.
HIGH VISIBILITY
(Please feel free to add your ide
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Parks