The City of Cape Town says its staff will be putting in the extra hours to ensure the safety of locals and tourists ahead of major events such as the Cape Town Street Parade this week.
The City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security, JP Smith, says there has been an increase in alcohol confiscations and drunk driving.
“Since 1 December 2018, City enforcement staff have confiscated 6790 bottles of alcohol (4318 litres) from beaches and other public spaces. This represents a near 20% increase compared to the same period in 2017,” he says.
“Cape Town Traffic Service arrested 260 persons for driving under the influence at various roadblocks, while the Metro Police Department made an additional 77 arrests. Collectively, this figure too represents a 20% increase year-on-year.”
Smith has called on Capetonians to act responsibly as the festive season nears its end.
Mayoral Committee Member for Community Services and Health Councillor, Zahid Badroodien, says close to 40 000 children were tagged at the beaches.
“The Identikidz project tagged nearly 39 000 children by Boxing Day at the 14 participating beaches. A total of 120 children became separated from their parents or caregivers,” he says.
“A total of 104 were successfully reunited at the beach, while 16 children were placed in the care of the Western Cape Department of Social Development on Boxing Day and later reunited with their families.”
Badroodien encouraged residents to make use of the Identikidz project across the City’s beaches.
“Residents are also reminded that there are 11 designated fireworks sites that they can access on New Year’s Eve. All sites will have an enforcement and fire service presence and will be open until just after midnight,” he added.
The sites are: Athlone Stadium parking; Wesfleur Sports Field in Atlantis; Bishop Lavis Sports Field; Metropolitan Sports Grounds in Bonteheuwel; Blue Downs Sports Field; Delft Central Sports Grounds; Macassar Beach parking area; Swartklip Sports Complex in Mitchells Plain;Sarepta Sports Complex; Strandfontein Pavilion and the Tourism Centre in Table View.