The City’s Traffic Service, Law Enforcement and Metro Police Departments arrested 343 suspects and issued 93 727 fines during weekly enforcement operations – and drinking in public is also back on the radar as the weather warms up.
‘The number of weekly arrests continues to be a double-edged sword. On the one hand, it reinforces the good work being done on the streets by our staff members, but it is also indicative of ongoing levels of criminality. What we also started noticing this past week is the beginnings of the annual spike in public consumption of alcohol. While the number of confiscations is still low, it is likely to increase as we head into the peak summer season, so now is as good a time as any to remind the public that it is against the law to consume alcohol in public, it is a risk to public safety, and not only will your alcohol be confiscated, but you will also be fined,’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security, Alderman JP Smith.
In the past week, Metro Police officers arrested 172 suspects and issued 4 315 fines. Among those arrested were 13 suspects on charges related to domestic violence.
On Saturday 22 October 2022, CCTV operators detected a hit and run incident in the CBD, where a pedestrian was knocked down. Officers were dispatched, and managed to pull over the white Toyota Quantum. The 35-year-old driver was found to be under the influence of alcohol and was detained at Cape Town Central SAPS.
TRAFFIC SERVICE
Traffic officers recorded 84 698 offences and arrested 39 suspects – 21 for driving under the influence of alcohol and 18 for reckless and negligent driving. Officers also impounded 60 public transport vehicles and executed 2 012 warrants of arrest.
LAW ENFORCEMENT
Law Enforcement officers conducted 571 operations, during which they made 132 arrests and issued 4 714 fines.
On Saturday 22 October 2022, at approximately 12:45, LEAP members on patrol in Delft came across a couple walking down Eindhoven Avenue. When the duo saw the officers, the male ran away. Officers stopped and searched the female – she was found with a 9mm pistol and seven rounds of ammunition in her handbag, and detained at Delft SAPS.
A few hours later, at 22:37, LEAP officers in Gugulethu spotted a white Mercedes Benz speeding along NY6, and gave chase. The driver lost control of the vehicle, and crashed into the yard of a house in the area. Two males ran away, but a female who was also an occupant was arrested after officers found a firearm in the vehicle. Officers were later informed by SAPS that the vehicle had been involved in an earlier shooting incident.
‘These firearm confiscations, along with the two made by Metro Police officers on Friday afternoon bring to at least four the number of firearms taken off the streets by our staff in just over 24 hours. It remains cause for concern that illegal firearms are so easily available, and this issue really requires urgent intervention,’ added Alderman Smith.
PUBLIC EMERGENCY COMMUNICATION CENTRE (PECC)
The past weekend saw the PECC recorded 1 864 incidents, which included 141 assaults, 37 domestic violence cases and 47 motor vehicle accidents and 13 pedestrian vehicle accidents.
Residents are reminded to report any criminal activity or emergency by contacting the PECC on 021 480 7700 from a cellphone or 107 from a landline.
Source: City Of Cape Town