The meeting was organized because the residents wanted to express their concerns about the growing number of homeless people, drug addicts, burglaries and commercial sex workers in their neighborhood.

“Ournneighborhood is previous to us. We want a safe place where children can play, senior citizens can take a stroll and families can feel at home. But our dream is being threatened. That is why we must tackle these problems together,” said Aristo Kelly, who started the app group Tourtonne Watchers and Tourtonne Krutu. Kelly explained that drug addicts who do not shower are cut their hair regularly roam the streets and also openly use drugs. These drug addicts also rip garbage bags open thereby making a mess on the streets and some of them enter the yards of local residents without permission. Kelly pointed out that vacant houses are occupied by these drug addicts who also resort to committing burglaries. He explained that the residents get the impression that the criminals are free to do as they please. Another cause for concern is the growing number of prostitutes who stand of the side of the road in the Tourtonnelaan and the Anamoestraat. According to Kelly, women from various Latin American countries become active around sunset. “This is not your typical nuisance. This is a disruption of our neighborhood. This creates a permanent unsafe feeling,” said Kelly who along with the other residents made it clear that they are fed up with the current situation.

“The neighborhood has changed into Sodom and Gomorra. It is not safe. I do not dare to send my children out in the streets. What are the police doing? The police accept money. I am ashamed to bring foreigners here,” said the residents as they looked angrily at District Commissioner Marlon Budike, police officials, neighborhood managers and resort Council managers. The local residents want the police to take firm action and to beef up police patrols in the areas where prostitution and drug use are rampant. Liggio Feller, the neighbourhood manager of Geyersvlijt, who also attended meeting did not agree with the residents who claim that the police are not doing their job. “I myself have written a letter to the attorney general. I have already been instructed to carry out the proposals that are based on the many complaints from the neighbourhood,” said Feller who added that the location of most of the drug dens has already been pinpointed. “There are currently about 20 drug dens. I have sent this information to the regional chief, the police commissioner and other agencies,” said Feller. DC Budike made it clear that he takes the problems that were mentioned by the residents serious. “Not all of the problems can be solved today or tomorrow but by working together we can improve the safety in Tourtonne step by step,” said the DC.