Boston fence to restrict escape routes for criminals

A fence has been built near Grens Street and Frans Conradie Drive in Boston to improve security in the area.

The recently completed 624-metre-long fence took two years to build and was funded by the Boston Central Community Improvement District.

“The fence forms part of our safety plan. We built different fences that we put up over a period of two years. Our main focus was to close the entrance and the exit of the gates located on Grens and Scott streets during the night. We wanted to restrict the movements of criminals in these areas so that there was no escape route for them when they ran away,” said Boston CID chairman Jean Beukman.

There is a lock on the gates and a security guard unlocks them at sunrise and sunset.

“We can’t stipulate the exact times when the gates are being opened and closed. The officers who are operating these gates could be called for an emergency. Then he must leave the gates and return later,” Mr Beukman said.

Bellville Community Police Forum member Gerda Gerber welcomed the completion of the fence.

“We believe and hope it will make a difference in the safety of the Boston community. If we can spread this initiative to all areas within the Bellville CBD and the lower streets that connect to Voortrekker Road, it will a great help in preventing crime,” she said.

Boston Neighbourhood Watch chairman Sean Smit said they had also installed a few smaller fences this year.

“We put up various fences in Scott Street, Tielman Marais Park, Cleveland Street, Washington, Salisbury Street and then all along Frans Conradie,” Mr Smit said.

Bellville police did not respond to questions by time of publication.