Mixed feelings about proposed bulletproof park in Beacon Valley

A proposal has been put forward by Gun Free South Africa (GFSA) to have the world’s first bulletproof park in Beacon Valley.

The NGO said this is in response to the 11 300 people shot and killed in South Africa between 2022 and 2023 according to last year's crime statistics.

“With 10% of these deaths being gang-related, Mitchell's Plain was selected as the ideal location to protect the children who are routinely caught by stray bullets,” said GFSA director, Adele Kirsten.

Beacon Valley was earmarked after meeting with activists and community members. “This is an area that has reported numerous deaths of children caught in crossfire,” she said.

The design of the park is complete and is in the costing phase, said Ms Kirsten.

The 20m by 20m play park will have slides, a small area to run and play but the design allows for it to be adaptable.

The park will also have solar power, 24-hour monitoring, a 24-hour panic button response and facial recognition with age confirmation and access control. The park would be big enough for 24 children to use, however, the safety of the children outside the park currently can’t be guaranteed, said Ms Kirsten.

“We’ve grappled with the limited nature of the protection the park offers as it doesn't protect children walking to and from school, going to the shops, or outside their own homes. Bulletproof park makes it safer for those inside, but we need to be addressing the safety of all of us outside the park as well,” she said.

They’re in the production phase of developing a prototype of a bulletproof vest designed specifically for children. The cost to build this park would come from communities and fund-raising efforts, she said.

“The management of the park would require a collective effort from communities, sponsors and volunteers. “The proposal also makes allowances for local government to be actively involved in maintaining the park,” said Ms Kirsten.

Sub-council 12 chairperson Solomon Philander said the bulletproof park will not be a solution to the shootings.

GFSA should help keep agents for crime accountable, demand SAPS investigate all crimes in preparation for a successful prosecution, and advocate for visible police and action against illegal firearms.

“I never received formal communication from GFSA nor was it discussed at sub-council level. Creating safe spaces doesn’t need a high bulletproof park to illustrate a safer space. We must address the root cause of the problem and who will fund it?”

Norman Jantjes, chairperson of Mitchell's Plain Community Police Forum (CPF), said they welcome the initiative which will essentially provide a level of safety and security for children within the park.

“We however don't know much about this project as there has been no consultation from GFSA. We have since reached out to them and hope for a meeting in the near future,” he said.

Lynn Phillips, secretary of the Cape Flats Safety Forum, said: “Innocent children are often victims of crossfire on playgrounds. Every time a child is shot in the crossfire there are prayers, protests, and promises. What we need is action.”

Cape Flats Safety Forum chairperson Abie Isaacs said they welcome any initiative to reduce crime. “We also want to state for the record this is no political project. As an organisation we have some questions in terms of roll out if it should happen. At this stage no specific area in Beacon Valley had been identified. We’ve been following up discussions with role players and community.”

Beacon Valley sub-forum chairperson, Arthur Pillay, said: “Shooting and stabbing is rife, Mitchell’s Plain is top of the list for domestic violence, how is a bulletproof park going to stop the killing of children? Why were we not consulted on this matter?”

There had been an opportunity to raise concerns at the safety meeting held by Beacon Valley sub-forum to combat crime after numerous shootings around schools, (“Leaders mobilise after numerous shootings around schools”, Plainsman, March 27).

“The bulletproof park would be a meeting venue for gangs as they already do this in existing parks, while children play outside the park. We should have a gun-free Mitchell’s Plain. Nothing should be done in Mitchell’s Plain without public participation,” he said.

Deputy chairperson of MURA, Michael Jacobs, was not aware of the proposal, he told the Plainsman on Tuesday April 9.

“It sounds like a very good initiative, but with more than 300 parks in Mitchell's Plain and over 1200 open spaces, which one's will be prioritised?”

“Individuals have been targeted in their own homes by gunmen and drive-by shootings, the norm where youngsters congregate on street corners and near spaza shops. I hope those initiating this well intended project will have wider consultations with the broader Mitchell's Plain community,” said Mr Jacobs.

“Even with our comprehensive security measures, we understand that no system is foolproof, and unforeseen circumstances can occur,” said Ms Kirsten.

“The bulletproof park is an audacious proposal to protect children from stray bullets but it can’t do anything about the current gun problems we’re experiencing in the country. Often victims are children caught in the crossfire simply for playing in the wrong place at the wrong time, she said.

GFSA has invested substantial time and resources into developing a proposal for the park. “We want to be clear that we hope a park like this never has to be built. To the public and the government, help us not build this park by introducing stricter gun laws, trace all stolen and misplaced guns and remove them from circulation,” said Ms Kirsten.