Cape Town's festive safety plan prioritises gang-affected communities

THE City of Cape Town's festive safety plan will also prioritise residents in gang-affected communities with enforcement continuing daily patrols in areas including Kleinvlei, Grassy Park, Steenberg, Elsies River, Delft, Nyanga, Khayelitsha, and Mitchells Plain. 

“LEAP, the Metro Police Gang and Drug Task Team and the NSOs will stay focused on their operational plans and maintain pressure on gangs and criminal networks to keep every community in Cape Town safe so all residents can enjoy the festive season,” said safety and security mayco member JP Smith 

The City is rolling out a record festive season safety operation, with its recently-deployed 700 new officers bolstering the ranks of over 4 000 existing enforcement and emergency personnel. 

Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis launched the City’s Safety Plan for the Festive Season at Muizenberg beach this week together with Smith and mayco member for community services and health, Francine Higham. 

The City said it will continue its daily operations in support of the SAPS in gang violence hotspots, with over 1 000 LEAP Officers deployed in shifts in those hotspots daily.

The public can also expect enhanced deployments of City officers over the coming festive season on the City’s roads, at busy beaches, braai areas and tourism hotpots including Table Mountain. 

Vehicle checkpoints will be in place across the metro, and the Highway patrol unit will be operating on major routes 24 hours a day. Enforcement on the roads is bolstered by an additional 40-strong N2 safety deployment. This forms part of the 700 new City officers deployed since September, including dedicated neighbourhood policing in every ward.

The City is also deploying 340 beach lifeguards and 343 swimming pool lifeguards. Lifeguards will be on duty at 29 different beaches, tidal pools, stretches of coast, and all public swimming pools between 10am and 6pm daily.

The City’s Identikidz child safety project will also be in full-swing at Cape Town’s busiest beaches during the peak season, with this initiative tagging more than 120 000 children last summer to help reunite them with caregivers if separated.

“Our Metro Police and Law Enforcement officers will maintain high visibility across beaches and public areas to enforce by-laws and ensure safety, with zero tolerance for alcohol possession or consumption in public. Operations will include roadblocks, alcohol testing, random vehicle checks, and beach patrols supported by CCTV, drones, and the use of ANPR,” Smith added.

“Cape Town is ready to welcome visitors and locals to our beautiful city this festive season. A record safety deployment will be in place. We are encouraged by forecasts for another bumper tourism season, which will bring more jobs and economic benefits to our shores,” said Hill-Lewis.

Cape Times