Cape Town: The Emergency Policing Incident Control (EPIC) team within the Safety and Security Directorate allowed the public to report the functionality by-law and criminal acts, in just few taps.
The new Safety and Security functionality on the City App allows the public to log certain categories of by-law and policing incidents directly from the App, with more categories to be phased in over time. For now, reports can be made in 17 sub-categories, that will include:
- metal theft
- public drinking
- abandoned or broken-down vehicles
- problem buildings
- poaching
The Safety and Security reporting feature consists of the benefits, such as:
- Reporting via the App uses minimal data, and the City hopes to make this a free-use App in the future.
- All reports are automatically geo-located and routed to the relevant City departments to ensure efficient response and follow‑up.
- The ability to submit accurate details includes – photographs, enables faster and more effective incident reporting.
- Reports can be submitted discreetly, by allowing users to log incidents without drawing attention to themselves in public spaces.
- Registered Users receive Safety and Security alerts, that helps them to improve awareness of reported incidents in surrounding areas. These alerts are based on incidents logged with the City.
- Reporting via the App reduces pressure on the Public Emergency Communication Centre (PECC).
Member of the Mayoral Committee for Safety and Security – Alderman JP Smith stated that they 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.
Now, the general public can start logging incidents too. This is the latest way in which the City hopes to strengthen partnerships with communities and ensure access to services. So many of the successes come via tip-offs or reports from the public, with just another example of how critical a role everyone has in advancing public safety.
The City’s mobile app is available for download in the Apple App Store and Google Play Store.
Among the existing functions for users are the ability to log service requests, commenting on public issues that affect them, logging in to e-Services to access and pay their municipal bills and accessing information on planned service outages and road closures.
Member of the Mayoral Committee for Corporate Services – Alderman Theresa Uys stated that the addition of safety and security services to the City app expands the customer self‑service access and improves how residents engage with the City. This initiative reflects the shared commitment to customer‑centric service delivery and improved access to critical services in emergencies.