The Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality hopes to decrease the crime rate and illegal dumping in three identified areas by implementing a one million rand bush-clearing project.
Phase one of the project was officially launched in Malabar on Thursday by Executive Mayor, Athol Trollip.
Trollip said the municipality started with the open field in Malabar because it had been used by criminals as a hiding spot.
Phase two of the project will be launched in Uitenhage and then phase three will be in Motherwell.
Malabar ward councilor, Sharlene Davids, said residents in Malabar and Cotswold will now have a peace of mind.
"The community formed Malabar patrol group and they patrol the areas at night but the minute the guys get through the bushes there is no trace of the criminals. This will make it visible for them to see even the helicopters that ride over at night," she said.
Meanwhile, the municipality decided to take a no-nonsense approach to illegal dumping by increasing the fines.
Trollip said the metro was in the process of doubling the current fine.
"Illegal dumping was a small fine of R2000 and I think it's being increased to R5500," he said.
Trollip said that this increase came after a long public campaign about illegal dumping.
He said the municipality would also move on to confiscate business vehicle used to illegally dump when it comes it second time offenders.
"If you get caught, you will have a stiff fine but if you get caught again, we will impound your vehicle and confiscate it," Trollip said.
