SAFETY ISSUES The different areas in Mbare have different degrees of safety. The three overall neighbourhoods vary in urban form, demographic composition and political climate. This leads to different safely related issues. MATA GARIKA is, according to the locals, considered ‘very safe’. It is a neighbourhood consisting of low, dense, semi-detatched houses. The apartments are two stories tall with lots of windows facing the public space around the buildings, ensuring eyes on the street1. This is an important aspect of the feeling of being safe in the neighbourhood; if something happens in the streets, there will be people in the apartments watching it, and they will have the change to take action. There is a lot of activity going on around the buildings, both during daytime and at night. This gives the effect of everyone becoming ‘watchdogs’ of the public spaces, and crime will be less likely to happen. The combination of all these aspects of the built environment, makes Mata Garika the safest neighbourhood in the community. THE RESIDENTIAL AREA consists of single-family houses. It is a large neighbourhood where each house has their own garden. In front of each house, there is fences and a gate, indicating that you have to guard your privacy. The locals consider the area ‘a little bit safe’. During daytime, there is a lot of life going on in the streets, making it safe to move around freely. Informal markets, people hanging out on the street corners, people and cars moving from A to B, ensure the feeling of being safe and among people. At night it is a different story. The lack of street lighting increases the chance of things to happen when no one is watching. As every house is drawn back from the street, hidden behind a fence, no one can hear or see if something happens. Especially women and children are adviced to be home before nightfall. MBARE MUSIKA is the market area. It considered ‘very unsafe’ by the locals. Both during day- and nighttime, you are adviced to avoid spending time in the area. It is the most densely populated area in Mbare. People live in large blocks of 4-5 stories with poor sight of the street. There are a lot of ‘blind spots’ where things can happen without anyone noticing it. Due to the commercial activity, the area is highly politicised, and a big flow of money attracts thieves and drug dealers. For this reason, the police is controlling the area both during day- and nightime.
The Death and Life of Great American Cities, J. Jacobs, Random House, New York, 1961 1
THE POLICE According to the locals, the presence of the police makes them feel unsafe. They find that the police pose a threat to the civil society, by acting violent, arresting without evidence and encouraging riots. Consequently, a police station close to your home in Mbare does not necessarily make you feel safe.
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