Earlier this week, Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis said that during the election campaign, one of the core pledges was to do more to keep Capetonians safe, and make the Mother City a safer place to live in.
“We have already, with the help of the Western Cape provincial government, deployed 1000 extra law enforcement officers focused in the 11 worst crime hotspots in the city.
“We will invest in even more law enforcement officers, and equipment, and vehicles to make every Capetonian feel safer. And we will focus single-mindedly on growing the economy so that more people can get into work and out of poverty,” he said in a statement.
In addition to this, the City of Cape Town’s enforcement agencies made nearly 370 arrests in the past week, taking the total for March to date to over 900.
Law Enforcement officers made 191 arrests and issued 5 106 fines during the 13 – 20 March while officers also recovered two more firearms.
Metro Police officers made 115 arrests for crimes including possession and sale of drugs, contact crimes, property crimes, domestic violence and public violence, and issued 5 574 traffic and bylaw fines.
In the same vein, Cape Town Traffic Officers arrested 61 suspects, impounded 116 vehicles, 114 cell phones and issued 78 894 fines. Among those arrested were 20 motorists for reckless and negligent driving, 12 for driving under the influence of alcohol and 18 for outstanding warrants.
The City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security, Alderman JP Smith said: “we can all appreciate the continued efforts of our staff on the ground, and the City’s ongoing investment in its Safety and Security Directorate”
He went on to say that the City remains appreciative of the public tips and reports of crime from community safety structures like Neighbourhood Watches, and ordinary residents who take a stand against criminality in their communities.
For March to date, the following successes were achieved:
Week 1: 245 arrests and 41 237 fines issued
Week 2: 304 arrests and 92 924 fines issued
Week 3: 367 arrests and 89 574 fines issued
Also read:
A ‘grand scam’ – Prasa has been paying 3 000 ghost workers full salaries
Picture: Cape {town} Etc Gallery