- Cape Town has launched its largest-ever festive season safety campaign, deploying over 5 000 officers across the city.
- Cutting-edge technology, such as drones and bodycams, will enhance high-visibility patrols at tourist hotspots, beaches, and roads.
- Lifeguards, cleaning crews, and public awareness initiatives will ensure a safe and enjoyable summer for locals and visitors alike.
More than 5 000 officers will be deployed to beaches, mountain trails and popular tourist destinations as part of the City’s summer safety plan.
Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis warned motorists on Wednesday at the Table View beach front there will be roadblocks every day throughout the festive season.
He said this as the City launched its festive-season readiness and safety campaign. Personnel will be bolstered by metro police-trainee participants in the Project 1 000 learnership programme, together with more than 4 000 uniformed enforcement and emergency personnel available in shifts as part of the City’s largest-ever safety deployment over a festive season.
“The City of Cape Town is ready and excited to welcome tens of thousands of visitors for a record-breaking festive season this year,” the Mayor said. “Our extensive Festive Season Safety Plan aims to ensure everyone has a safe, enjoyable time in the Mother City. Tourism supports tens of thousands of local jobs, and it is our top priority to ensure people have a marvellous time visiting Cape Town’s world-beating attractions.”
He said the public could expect high-visibility policing at tourism hot spots across the city, from the trails of Table Mountain to beaches, roads, shopping precincts and the main business districts.
“As part of our major safety technology investment, our safety operations will integrate cutting-edge camera tech, including automatic number plate recognition, smart dashcam systems, bodycams on officers, drones patrolling the mountain and beaches, and Africa’s largest CCTV network.”
Vehicles were stopped during a roadblock at the beach-front on Wednesday, enabling a handshake and chat with Hill-Lewis for some.
One of the motorists stopped told TygerBurger the officer checked his vehicle and asked for his licence.
“It’s good to see more traffic and police visibility on the beach front, especially at this time of year,” he said.
Deployment
The Mayor said a metropole integrated Joint Operational Centre (JOC) will coordinate city-wide operations from the Traffic Management Centre (TMC) in Goodwood, linking into four Area JOCs in different parts of the city, integrated beach JOCs and the police command centre.
Vehicle checkpoints will be commonplace on major routes to beaches, with officers clamping down on alcohol-use and anti-social behaviour in public spaces.
Law enforcement, fire and rescue service and disaster risk management volunteers will be on hand to assist with public safety and awareness.
JP Smith, Mayco Member for Safety and Security, said on Wednesday the City was pulling all the stops out to make the festive season as safe and enjoyable as possible for all law-abiding citizens and visitors.
“I appreciate people will want to let their hair down, but I encourage them to do so responsibly and be part of the solution, not the problem. Alcohol misuse remains one of our biggest challenges, particularly on our roads, and in our recreational spaces. It bears repeating that the City’s bylaws are very clear on the issue, and our staff will not hesitate to act.”
Cleaning efforts
As part of the City’s drowning prevention campaign, the City will deploy well over 600 lifeguards to beaches and public swimming pools.
Major cleaning efforts are further under way as part of the City’s “Spring Clean Cape Town” campaign to prepare for the festive season.
“This summer, holidaymakers can expect a top-up cleaning service targeting all beaches, scenic routes and central business districts. Cape Town’s anti-litter mascot, Bingo, will also make various public appearances to encourage people to ‘bin it in the Bingo bin’ and keep Cape Town clean for all to enjoy.”
Ward 107 councillor Jonathan Mills was also at the launch and expressed his gratitude for taking on the huge task of protecting locals and visitors this festive season.
“The Marine Unit includes boats and jetskis, while on land motorbikes and electric bicycles will ensure high speed mobility for officers. The City’s community department has a full complement of lifeguards on duty as well as their identikids teams to keep your little ones from getting lost.
“Added to this, we have the City’s investment in hi-tech drones and bodycams as well as the lo-tech and the just-as-effective K9 units.
“Together with community structures we are expecting the largest-ever mobilisation of security resources in Cape Town.”
