Cape Town: The School Resource Officers (SROs) started the 2024 school year with 88 members who deployed in and around 54 schools in the metropole. Now, more SROs have joined the class of 2025.
Reportedly, by the final term, the count has grown to 111 and by July 2025 the School Resource Officers will add nine more schools to their roster and 18 additional officers are making efforts to take the overall total to 129.
The SRO initiative began in the year 2012 as dedicated resources were deployed at six schools to improve the safety and since then it has branched out to include patrols and interventions in the areas around schools too.
As per the sources, they are deployed at 54 schools and surrounds. Between January and October 2024, the officers have arrested seven and issued 1,904 fines for various traffic and by-law transgressions and confiscated two firearms with 4000 units of dagga.
Several dangerous items were confiscated dropping from 2,866 in 2023 to 1,043 in 2024, in courtesy of random searches, but with improved learner behaviour.
The SROs have also coordinated 176 extra-mural activities including a fun run, hikes and marching competitions.
Member of Mayoral Committee for Safety and Security of City of Cape Town – Alderman JP Smith said that the SROs help in tackling the challenges that occur in school environment. They will also help in coordinating positive experiences and activities to keep learners occupied and develop critical life skills.
Smith cleared that they have received very positive feedback from schools, especially around improved learner behaviour and a more supportive school environment.
He shared a little anecdote that a few years ago, they expanded the initiative to include patrols in areas around schools too by impacting safety of the community. During that week, the SROs responded to gunshots in Tafelsig and found the suspects as well as recovered the firearms.
He further added that safety is an ongoing challenge at the schools for now and the SRO deployment dented that it is not up to them alone. “We call on teachers, parents and learners to work together so that the schools can be the safe spaces as they are meant to be,” concluded JP Smith.
Apart from expansion of the SRO project, other plans for 2025 involves improved coordination and implantation of more tailored violence prevention activities such as marching bands, ballroom, sports like rugby & soccer and expanded participation in the Youth Energy Safety (YES) programme.