Swakopmund: Residents of Swakopmund have raised alarm over increasing numbers of street children, noise pollution from churches and bars, and what they described as limited police visibility at the town.

According to Namibia Press Agency, during a community meeting held Wednesday night, several residents expressed concern that children living on the streets were increasingly linked to drugs and petty crime. ‘The number of street kids is growing every week. Some of them are involved in criminal activity and we no longer feel safe walking home at night,’ said Johanna Nghidengwa. Another added: ‘We cannot just leave them like this. Something must be done to protect them and to protect us. Additionally, can we also be provided with the contact details of the relevant persons to contact and report to when we observe something suspicious.’

Noise pollution was another key complaint, with residents questioning whether churches and bars had proper permits to operate late into the night. ‘Some of us are scared to report because we do not know if we are imposing, but the noise is disturbing our peace,’ Tobias Awene stated. Others pointed to a lack of police presence at night, especially in the DRC area where some bars reportedly remain open until 04h00. ‘A few months ago, on my way from work, I was robbed of my belongings and was probably supposed to lose my life. We need more patrols. People do not feel safe, and that is when crime happens,’ another resident narrated.

Swakopmund Councillor Hafeni Heinrich also expressed the municipality’s concern about rising criminal activity, particularly involving the youth, and urged the community to partner with police to restore safety. Responding to the concerns, Namibian Police Erongo Regional Commander, Commissioner Nikolaus Kupembona acknowledged the challenges and said his office was working with the Ministry of Gender Equality and Child Welfare to address the plight of street children. ‘The issue of the street kids is a very complicated and difficult process because of lack of parental care, but we must collectively address it,’ he stressed. Kupembona confirmed the need for intensified police patrols in DRC and appealed to residents not to attack officers or damage patrol vehicles.