Spruit Vagrants

[mtbvip]

The amount of guys living along the Spruit is, in my opinion, getting out of hand. I know that they have nowhere to live and personally they don't bother me as long as they don't threaten the safety of cyclist/joggers. What bothers me is that lately I have noticed that, to make fires at night, the vagrants are cutting down a significant amount of trees on a daily basis. This is particularly evident behind the Pick and Pay. To me the amount of trees along the Spruit plays a large role in making the Spruit the special ride it is and I fear that soon there will be no trees left.

 

I am interested in hearing other rider's opinions on this.

Edited June 2, 2012 by mtbvip

[DR ◣◢]

They do make for some edgy riding at best. Lots of drinking and drug use going on. No telling what could happen.

 

Lots of trash also accumilating in the water. Really not good at all.

 

No doubt the police wont do a thing about this.

[Dirtbreath]

I think their prescence adds to safety in certain places. By having people staying there, it's not lonely and remote which would make it easier for criminals to hide in wait. These guys dont want trouble and the resultant cops combing their little camps.

[patches]

The amount of guys living along the Spruit is, in my opinion, getting out of hand. I know that they have nowhere to live and personally they don't bother me as long as they don't threaten the safety of cyclist/joggers. What bothers me is that lately I have noticed that, to make fires at night, the vagrants are cutting down a significant amount of trees on a daily basis. This is particularly evident behind the Pick and Pay. To me the amount of trees along the Spruit plays a large role in making the Spruit the special ride it is and I fear that soon there will be no trees left.

 

I am interested in hearing other rider's opinions on this.

 

Yesterday afternoon 4 of us went to session the DHL jump line (behind pick and pay).

 

When we built this line there were a few vagrants. We didn't have any hassles and we would even hire a couple of them to help on the odd build day. (I think that helped keep the relationship symbiotic)

 

Yesterday I noticed a massive increase in the number of vagrants, litter piles, and blackjack bushes.

 

That said, the 2 biggest jumps on the line are right outside their 'living room', and it's always awesome to hear the "yoh yoh yohs!" As we put on a show for them

[Tjokkits]

^{we should maybe just chuck some cash into a petty fund and buy them fire wood, so greate goodwill and save the trees, they not there to do bad, just to make a living, like all of us....}