"Rogue" car guards a headache for Knysna Municipality
01 Feb 2016 | Admin Author
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The Knysna Municipality has begun an intensive programme to curb the swelling numbers of "rogue" car guards operating in Knysna and Sedgefield who are preying on tourists and are believed to be responsible for a spate of car break-ins.\
Residents and business owners have complained of youngsters between the ages of 16 and 18 stealing bright yellow jackets often used by security companies to pose as legitimate guards.
These allow them to fleece people of their cash and free them up to loiter in areas from which they can engage in criminal activity, particularly after 5pm when the sanctioned guards go off duty.
"Knysna remains a highly sought after tourist destination and council is well aware of the negative impact this matter may have should it not be properly managed. Council is in the process of regulating parking attendants in both the towns of Sedgefield and Knysna," said municipal manager Lauren Waring.
As part of the new measures prospective parking attendants will have to apply for a permit to operate within a designated area. Applicants are then subjected to a screening process and once approved, they are provided with an identity permit and a numbered dark green jacket.
"Should it be found that a parking attendant operates outside his/her approved area or if they're found under the influence of any substance their permit will be cancelled. This regulation applies to municipal open spaces since private property owners may opt to appoint their own attendants," Waring said.
Crystal Carelse, of Knysna's popular Harry B's Restaurant and Grill, said the illegal car guard situation had become out of hand.
"There are four guys who sit outside here, and as soon as they see the official car guard go home they start to hustle. There have been countless cars that have been broken into," she said.
"They wear the bright yellow jackets, not the official ones, but tourists don't know any better. I park my car at the back, and even that has been broken into."
Another shop owner, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the area around Memorial Park in Knysna was particularly problematic.
"There have been several car break-ins, and I know that they are also selling drugs at night. I keep telling tourists not to leave anything in their cars, but they don't listen."
However it is also the official car guards themselves who are being made to suffer.
Bonnie Hendricks has been a car guard for 17 years, and confirmed the recent proliferation of "chancer" guards.
"They are young, 16, 17 or 18. I try to make an honest living, but I have to go home at the end of the day. After 5pm they put on the yellow jackets and go to work. Some of them also carry spanners and other tools so they can remove things like hubcaps, which they sell in the townships."