Policing: cost a factor

SHARONE Daniels’ letter (Cape Times, Thursday, July 5) refers:

I have sincere sympathy for the plight of Ocean View residents. I visited the area this week while metro police were conducting a social crime prevention programme with the youth in the community. I heard from the children that there were others who wanted to participate, but were too afraid to leave home. I have not been invited to any community meetings, but am happy to attend any future meetings.

I have requested metro police to assist to the extent that their resources permit, bearing in mind that SAPS, although woefully under-resourced, have 36 times the staffing complement of the metro police. Our City resources are also being pulled in many different directions to assist with gang violence in hot spots across the metro.

That said, policing is not effective without convictions and the current rate of convictions for gang-related crimes is disappointing.

What this means is that criminals continue to have free reign.

As for the request to have the ShotSpotter gunfire detection system installed in Ocean View – the system is not mobile and cannot be moved from the areas where it is installed.

We are exploring further installations, but cost is a real factor. If we are successfully able to negotiate a more affordable expansion, then Ocean View could be one of the areas included.

Unfortunately, the City has limited resources and powers when it comes to issues of crime prevention. It is also unfortunate that 85% of the police stations in Cape Town are underresourced – including Ocean View and Masipumelele – and our communities are paying the price. The national minister of police needs to act urgently. Alderman JP Smith Mayoral Committee Member for Social Services, Safety and Security City of Cape Town