Port Alfred authorities have found a way to keep peace-lovers happy during the festive season – without pooping the party.
Police and Ndlambe municipal officials have announced a designated party zone – where people can even camp free over New Year – near the heart of the popular resort town to try to control chaotic public drinking on the beachfront.
Port Alfred station commander Colonel Lizette Zeelie said late last week that police already had a zero tolerance attitude to alcohol in public in the buildup to the busy Christmas break and were issuing warnings and spot fines for public drinking, and even confiscating liquor.
She told reporters the pop ular Krantz area near the busy R72 was set aside as the only designated drinking spot to try to contain and control the thousands of people who descend on the resort annually over New Year to party.
Zeelie said the Krantz was the only open space in town that was not declared a municipal public amenity according to bylaws and that people could drink there – provided they behaved.
Police would be looking out for “drunk people causing problems”, she added.
But Ndlambe community protection director Nombulelo Booysen-Willy said no council decision was taken to officially proclaim it a New Year camping and drinking area.
She said the Krantz had been unofficially set aside for this purpose and warned revellers to behave themselves or face arrest. “We want to ensure people are safe and secure.”
It is hoped the Krantz compromise will stop stop thousands of people from descending on nearby West Beach car park area to drink in the New Year.
Committee members said the latest plan included better controlling vehicle access to the beach. This will mean emergency services and police can access the area on New Year.
The plan is a compromise that had evolved over several years of trying to deal with the problem.
ANC councillor Skumbuzo Venene said one of the purposes of the contingency plan was to try and ensure people were safe during the festivities.
He said the Krantz was a better place to party than West Beach. In the past residents in the West Beach area have complained of people braaing and boozing on their front lawns, broken bottles, urinating in public and playing loud music through the night.
DA councillor Ray Schenk, who is on the planning committee, urged festive season visitors to act responsibly.
“The municipality would like you to make the Port Alfred area the holiday destination of your choice,” he added.
Marshalls and police would control vehicle access to certain areas. There would be lifeguards at the area’s two blue flag beaches – Kelly’s in Port Alfred and Kariega Main Beach at Kenton-on-Sea – and pilot blue flag beaches in Boknes and Kleinemonde Island.
Traffic officials will hold routine roadblocks to test for alcohol and check vehicle roadworthiness.
Teams will clean up litter at the West Beach/Krantz area and there will be porta-loos at several places.
Popular hotspots will be patrolled regularly by police and municipal bylaw enforcement officers from December 14 until January 4.
Kowie cops come up with festive party plan
Police and Ndlambe municipal officials have announced a designated party zone – where people can even camp free over New Year – near the heart of the popular resort town to try to control chaotic public drinking on the beachfront.
Port Alfred station commander Colonel Lizette Zeelie said late last week that police already had a zero tolerance attitude to alcohol in public in the buildup to the busy Christmas break and were issuing warnings and spot fines for public drinking, and even confiscating liquor.
She told reporters the pop ular Krantz area near the busy R72 was set aside as the only designated drinking spot to try to contain and control the thousands of people who descend on the resort annually over New Year to party.
Zeelie said the Krantz was the only open space in town that was not declared a municipal public amenity according to bylaws and that people could drink there – provided they behaved.
Police would be looking out for “drunk people causing problems”, she added.
But Ndlambe community protection director Nombulelo Booysen-Willy said no council decision was taken to officially proclaim it a New Year camping and drinking area.
She said the Krantz had been unofficially set aside for this purpose and warned revellers to behave themselves or face arrest. “We want to ensure people are safe and secure.”
It is hoped the Krantz compromise will stop stop thousands of people from descending on nearby West Beach car park area to drink in the New Year.
Committee members said the latest plan included better controlling vehicle access to the beach. This will mean emergency services and police can access the area on New Year.
The plan is a compromise that had evolved over several years of trying to deal with the problem.
ANC councillor Skumbuzo Venene said one of the purposes of the contingency plan was to try and ensure people were safe during the festivities.
He said the Krantz was a better place to party than West Beach. In the past residents in the West Beach area have complained of people braaing and boozing on their front lawns, broken bottles, urinating in public and playing loud music through the night.
DA councillor Ray Schenk, who is on the planning committee, urged festive season visitors to act responsibly.
“The municipality would like you to make the Port Alfred area the holiday destination of your choice,” he added.
Marshalls and police would control vehicle access to certain areas. There would be lifeguards at the area’s two blue flag beaches – Kelly’s in Port Alfred and Kariega Main Beach at Kenton-on-Sea – and pilot blue flag beaches in Boknes and Kleinemonde Island.
Traffic officials will hold routine roadblocks to test for alcohol and check vehicle roadworthiness.
Teams will clean up litter at the West Beach/Krantz area and there will be porta-loos at several places.
Popular hotspots will be patrolled regularly by police and municipal bylaw enforcement officers from December 14 until January 4.
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