Reclaim Blouberg's Public Spaces - Keep Our Public Spaces Public

Petition addressed to: Cape Town City Manager

If you live in, work in, cycle through, walk through or regularly visit Blouberg — this affects you!

We, the undersigned residents, ratepayers, businesses, cyclists, pedestrians and visitors to Blouberg, call on the City of Cape Town to take decisive and lasting action to address the ongoing occupation and misuse of public open spaces along the Blouberg beachfront and the R27 West Coast Road corridor between Blaauwberg Road and Big Bay Boulevard.

For years, residents have reported people roughsleeping or living in makeshift shelters and occupying public spaces, while the cycle lane and pedestrian areas along the R27 have been obstructed and made difficult or intimidating to use. Residents and road users have also raised concerns about abusive, aggressive, intoxicated and disruptive behaviour, public drinking and drug use, litter, human waste, safety and the degradation of areas that are supposed to be available to everyone. The City has conducted Law Enforcement interventions before — but the problem repeatedly returns. Moving people from one location to another is not a solution.

We recognise that homelessness is a serious social issue and that people living on the streets must be treated humanely and with dignity. But compassion cannot mean surrendering public spaces. Cyclists should be able to use the cycle lane. Families should be able to enjoy the beachfront. Those using wheelchairs should be able to use the beachfront pedestrain ramp. Residents should be able to walk safely. Children should be able to use public spaces without intimidation. Businesses should be able to operate in a safe environment. We therefore demand a coordinated, lawful and long-term solution — not another temporary clean-up followed by another return of the problem. Enforce the Bylaws and the PIE Act, where applicable. The Baxter Eviction case is an example of what we expect for public open spaces!