700 new officers for festive safety boost

The City of Cape Town has deployed 700 new law enforcement officers to boost visibility across beaches, roads, tourism hotspots and gang-affected communities in its biggest-ever festive season safety operation.

Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis unveiled the expanded safety plan at Muizenberg Beach on Wednesday, saying the additional officers would significantly strengthen the City’s capacity during what is expected to be a bumper holiday season.

He said: “Cape Town is ready to welcome visitors and locals to our beautiful city this festive season. A record safety deployment will be in place, powered by our City’s investment in 700 new officers."

The recruits bring the total number of uniformed City enforcement and emergency personnel to more than 4 700, with daily support to SAPS in gang hotspots continuing uninterrupted.

Over 1 000 LEAP officers will still be deployed in shifts each day to communities most affected by gang violence.

JP Smith, the Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security, said the expanded team would maintain high visibility throughout the holiday period.

“Our Metro Police and Law Enforcement officers will maintain high visibility across beaches and public areas to enforce by-laws and ensure safety, with zero tolerance for alcohol possession or consumption in public,” he said.

“Operations will include roadblocks, alcohol testing, random vehicle checks, and beach patrols supported by CCTV, drones, and the use of ANPR.”

Smith added that the additional manpower would bolster operations in gang-affected areas. “City enforcement will continue daily patrols in areas such as Kleinvlei, Grassy Park, Steenberg, Elsies River, Delft, Nyanga, Khayelitsha, and Mitchells Plain,” he said.

“LEAP, the Metro Police Gang and Drug Task Team and the NSOs will stay focused on their operational plans and maintain pressure on gangs and criminal networks to keep every community in Cape Town safe so all residents can enjoy the festive season.”

The festive safety plan also includes a major drowning-prevention effort. The City is deploying 340 beach lifeguards and 343 swimming pool lifeguards at 29 beaches, tidal pools, coastal sites and all public pools, with lifeguards on duty daily from 10am to 6pm.

Councillor Francine Higham said teams across her portfolio were fully prepared.

“Residents will see well-trained lifeguards on duty at 29 beach and coastal sites and all public pools, daily cleaning operations, and our Identikidz child-safety programme back at the busiest beaches after tagging more than 120 000 children last summer,” she said.

“We ask the public to follow lifeguard instructions, swim only during designated hours, and keep a close watch on children at all times. With everyone’s cooperation, we can ensure a safe and enjoyable summer for all.”

The City also reminded beachgoers of four essential water-safety rules: swim only where lifeguards are on duty; avoid rip currents; do not swim under the influence of alcohol; and always supervise children around water.