A fresh call is growing in Parklands after a recent shooting on Parklands Main Road pushed safety fears back into the spotlight.

A petition is being prepared to demand the reopening and proper resourcing of the Parklands SAPS satellite station. Residents and local leaders say the fast-growing area needs a stronger police presence as crime concerns deepen.

Petition Targets Closed Public-Facing Police Services

The petition will focus on reopening the satellite station to the public after its services were withdrawn.

The Cape Argus reported that the DA plans to mobilise community support behind the petition. DA constituency head Nicholas Gotsell said the recent shooting was not a once-off incident but part of a wider pattern affecting Parklands, Table View and nearby areas. He argued that policing resources have failed to keep up with rapid population growth over the past decade.

Gotsell also said it was worrying that the satellite station had been closed to the public and turned into an administrative site, even though the area around it is described as a busy social hub linked to suspicious activity and known crime.

SAPS Says Station was Repurposed

SAPS has defended the current use of the facility.

In a parliamentary reply cited by Cape Argus, SAPS said the Parklands satellite station had been repurposed for specialised units. Public-facing services were withdrawn because of operational challenges and safety concerns.

That explanation has not eased frustration on the ground, where residents want visible policing and easier access to services.

Leaders Warn Crime may be Worse Than Reported

Ward councillor Jonathan Mills said crime in Parklands is trending upward and may be more severe than official figures show.

He linked the rise to rapid development in and around the area, along with underreporting of theft and muggings. He also pointed to visible drug activity in some parts of Parklands, saying residents are increasingly exposed to open criminality in public spaces.

As Parklands grows, policing needs to grow with it. Until that happens, pressure is likely to keep building on SAPS to restore access to the satellite station.