Cape Town: Metro Police cadets, along with the Law Enforcement Graffiti Unit, removed 785 square metres of graffiti from walls in Manenberg over the weekend as part of a clean-up of a number of suburbs, bridges and other tagged and spray-painted walls. The enforcement agencies of the City of Cape Town also kept areas clean with 439 arrests for various offences.
Member of the Mayoral Committee for Safety and Security – Alderman JP Smith stated that instead of just reacting to offences after they occur. They are tackling social crimes as it targets some of the root causes of crime and violence.
According to JP Smith, by addressing these underlying risk factors and building community cohesion and strength it is creating long-term safety and stability. At the same time the departments continue to make inroads in getting weapons and criminals off the streets. They will further continue to prioritise crime prevention on all levels to ensure the safety and better quality of life for all the residents.
Reportedly, the Public Emergency Communication Centre (PECC) recorded 2,812 calls for assistance this past weekend. This included 174 physical assault related incidents, 97 domestic violence cases and 100 motor vehicle and pedestrian accidents. Calls to the PECC doubled, with domestic violence figures getting tripled and double the number of physical assault related incidents and accidents were registered.
Alderman Smith added that while of grave concern, these increases have become par for the course on a month-end weekend. Calls for responsible socialising and partying are falling on deaf ears and they will continue to enforce the law. In general enforcement efforts, Law Enforcement officers made 243 arrests and issued 12,386 notices.
The Metro Police counterparts made 134 arrests: including 44 for drunk driving. In total, the officers issued 5,649 notices and recovered a firearm, two imitation firearms, 17 rounds of ammunition, five stolen or hijacked vehicles and confiscated numerous drugs. On the roads, Traffic Officers arrested 62 suspects: 49 for drunk driving, five for reckless and negligent driving and eight on other charges. They executed 2,005 warrants, impounded 160 public transport vehicles and issued 47,840 fines.