A mock-up design of the proposed bulletproof park in Bacon Valley, Mitchell’s Plain. Image: Supplied.
Gang-hit Mitchell’s Plain set for world’s first bulletproof park
A groundbreaking proposal to construct the world’s first bulletproof park in Mitchell’s Plain has been welcomed by safety advocates amid a spike in gang violence in the area.
A mock-up design of the proposed bulletproof park in Bacon Valley, Mitchell’s Plain. Image: Supplied.
Gun Free South Africa has unveiled its plans for the creation of a safe and secure play-park in Mitchell’s Plain enclosed entirely by bulletproof glass.
Gun Free SA, an NGO committed to reducing firearm-related deaths, says the bulletproof park is a sad, but necessary, innovation needed to provide a safe and secure playground for children amid the ongoing threat of gang violence and gunfire.
The proposed park, designed by specialists in the field, will feature all the fun activities kids love, like monkey bars, swings, and slides – within a secure environment enhanced by state-of-the-art security measures, including the entirely enclosed bulletproof glass.
Gun Free SA director, Adele Kirsten, said Beacon Valley — an area that has tragically witnessed numerous child casualties due to crossfire incidents — had been earmarked as the location for the park.
“Over a 20-year period, nearly half of the children under 12 admitted to Cape Town’s Children’s hospital were victims of crossfire. Bulletproof Park is an outrageous solution to an outrageous problem.”
BULLETPROOF PARK WELCOMED BY ALL
Community leaders and safety advocates, such as Cape Flats Safety Forum chairperson Abie Isaacs and Norman Jantjes of the Mitchells Plain CPF, have expressed support for the initiative, acknowledging the urgent need for safe spaces amid escalating crime rates.
“We welcome the proposal as we believe parks should be a safe space for children,” Isaacs said of the proposed bulletproof park.
“We have seen the rapid dilapidation of our parks as they have now become the homes for gangs to carry out their activities. Right now the parks are at the centre of shootings, drug dealings and other nefarious acts.
“We are going into a briefing soon to understand a bit more about how this bulletproof park will work. There are major concerns for the community of Beacon Valley which is gripped in fights between various major gangs.
“Some of the issues we will look at are the nuts and bolts of this park. How will it work? Who will fund it? How will we ensure gangsters don’t have access?” Isaacs asked.
FINANCING AND MAINTENANCE OF PARK EXPLAINED
The cost of building and maintaining the bulletproof park will come from community contributions and fundraising efforts.
Gun Free SA acknowledges the park’s limitations in protecting children outside its confines. To address broader gun violence issues, the NGO advocates for stricter gun control laws and enhanced measures to combat illegal firearms circulating in the country.
