Boost for CBD security
Eighteen new law enforcement officers on City streets in bid to clamp down on crime
FOLLOWING the announcement by mayor Dan Plato during his inauguration in November last year that safety would be prioritised, the Cape Town CBD yesterday saw 18 new law enforcement officers on its streets.
The deployment is in addition to the R165million that was made available to increase law enforcement efforts, with an additional 100 law enforcement officers being recruited, along with new CCTV cameras and patrol vehicles being deployed across the Cape metro.
Plato said they had noted concerns about safety within the CBD and believed the extra officers would help bolster efforts to address crime there.
“We want people to feel safer,” Plato said. “What you see today is part of our direct attempts to address crime,” Plato said.
“The SAPS remains the primary law enforcement agency responsible for safety, but it has been under-resourced for a number of years. We are taking proactive steps to address crime in the CBD and work with the SAPS and all safety partners to address safety concerns,” Plato said.
Some officers recently completed their peace officer and traffic warden training, and Plato said they would be ready for deployment in the next few weeks, and would also be deployed in gang-ridden areas such as Bonteheuwel, Bishop Lavis and Valhalla Park.
Mayco member for Safety and Security JP Smith said this was a direct outcome of Plato’s having arranged additional funding for safety and security.
Smith said that a further 200 officers would be deployed this year.
“This is if the Safety and Security draft budget released for public comment earlier this month is approved by the council. The public participation period closes next week on Wednesday,” Smith said.
The area of deployment in the CBD will include Long Street and the Grand Parade. There are 62 law enforcement officers within the CBD.
Central City Improvement District chief executive Tasso Evangelinos said they were looking forward to working closely with the City of Cape Town’s law enforcement team.
“We greatly appreciate the Plato’s efforts to increase visible policing in the CBD,” he said.