A new feature on the City of Cape Town App is changing how residents report crime and by-law violations, placing a digital reporting tool directly in the hands of the public.
The City’s Emergency Policing Incident Control (EPIC) team built the upgrade, which allows users to log occurrences with a few clicks, ranging from public drinking and metal theft to abandoned vehicles and suspected poaching activity.
According to a City of Cape Town announcement, the feature now supports 17 reporting categories, with intentions to expand further.
If an incident cannot be logged using the app, users are automatically directed to the Public Emergency Communication Centre.
Reports are automatically geolocated and routed to the relevant department, helping to cut delays and reduce the back-and-forth often associated with reporting incidents.
Residents can also attach photos and detailed descriptions, improving the accuracy of reports and, in turn, response times.
The City claims users may register occurrences silently without drawing attention in public places, which is anticipated to inspire more people to come forward with information.
The City believes the new system will also relieve pressure on its call centre, allowing urgent calls to be prioritised while lower-risk incidents are handled through the app.
Alderman JP Smith, Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security, described the launch as part of a broader push to strengthen collaboration between communities and law enforcement.
‘We are incredibly proud and excited about this milestone. It follows the development of a functionality in 2024, linking the deaf community and persons who are hard of hearing directly to the PECC via the City’s App,’ he stated.
He added that residents can now log incidents directly, as the City looks to strengthen community partnerships and improve access to services.
‘So many of our successes come via tip-offs or reports from the public, just another example of how critical a role everyone has in advancing public safety,’ he highlighted.
Meanwhile, Alderman Theresa Uys, Mayoral Committee Member for Corporate Services, said the move reflects a wider effort to improve accessibility and responsiveness.
‘The addition of safety and security services to the City app expands our customer self-service access and improves how residents engage with the City. This initiative reflects our shared commitment to customer-centric service delivery and improved access to critical services in emergencies,’ she said.
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Picture: CoCT
