City in push to ditch private security for rent-a-cops in special rating areas

THE CITY of Cape Town has proposed changes to the conditions for special rating areas – formerly known as city improvement districts – to encourage the use of rent-a-cops instead of private security officers.

Mayoral committee member for safety and security JP Smith said the efficacy of private security guards was limited because they could not detain suspects or enforce by-laws.

Cape Town has has 290 rent-a-cops at its disposal, and is the only municipality in the country using this model of law enforcement.

“This is a win-win solution as it makes the area safer and the city gets extra policing without having to pay for it,” said Smith.

Rent-a-cops, or auxiliary officers, offered greater accountability than private security companies since they fell under the metro police. While paid for by an external entity and deployed to specific areas, they remained under the command and control of the city’s safety and security directorate.

“We need to make the transition from being compelled to use private security to allowing for top-up policing via the special rating areas,” said Smith. While many of the special rating areas used auxiliary officers, some still preferred private security.

The mayoral committee approved the recommendation to push for the use of rent-a-cops in 10 special rating areas – including Maitland, Wynberg, Airport Industria and Cape Town Central – that have submitted their fiveyear business plans for renewal.

Safety was a key focus of these business plans, which are being reviewed. The current plans expire in June.

Maitland listed the reduction of crime by “pro-active visible patrolling and co-operation with existing (police) and City of Cape Town law enforcement efforts as well as other security service providers in the area”.

The Wynberg Improvement District said it was critical that visible policing and patrols were maintained in the area used daily by about 100 000 people for work or residence. The area is also home to the Wynberg Regional Court and Home Affairs.

The Claremont Improvement District said existing or new by-laws needed to be “rigorously enforced to prevent an environment from becoming seemingly uncontrolled”. While these were often minor infringements, they “do frequently lead to more serious crime”.