General municipal services were far better before. They used to sweep streets more than once or twice a year, street lights were repaired more efficiently, we had less potholes, roads were painted, street signs were replaced etc.. The council actually answered their phones, even on a Friday afternoon!
A bright initiative that packs power
Riefaat Hattas is single-minded about stamping out electricity theft and vandalism – and is single-handedly educating school children about good citizenship and electrical safety.
Armed with a broken streetlight, a DVD player, pamphlets and lots of
enthusiasm, he’s making a difference. Over the past three years, this Assistant Professional Officer, who conducts training for the Public Lighting Department, has proved to be a real ‘live wire’, visiting primary schools across the city.
His programme concentrates on vandalism and cable theft, highlighting the
dangers of darkness.
“Learners vandalise streetlights without realising the consequences of their actions,” says Riefaat. “We show them that dark streets encourage crime, as darkness masks the activities of thieves,
murderers and rapists. They realise that they endanger their communities, and that vandalism is a criminal act punishable by law.”
His 30-minute presentation teaches children in a fun, interactive way about
the dangers of electricity and the consequences of vandalism. It includes
real-life stories, a DVD presentation and a question and answer session.
Each learner signs a pledge not to vandalise streetlights and to report
cable theft to the Copperheads.
“I believe we need a holistic approach and need to involve the religious
community and other organisations. The programme is definitely
working.
We have seen a marked reduction in the vandalism of streetlights in
areas that I have visited,” says Riefaat
