Trauma and assault cases remain a worrying constant

The City’s Traffic Service, Law Enforcement and Metro Police Departments arrested 266 suspects and issued 55 543 fines during weekly enforcement patrols. The City’s Public Emergency Communication Centre(PECC) also had a busy weekend, logging 1 788 emergency incidents.

Law Enforcement officers issued 2 990 fines and arrested 123 suspects.

On Friday, 15 July 2022, Law Enforcement Auxiliary officers noticed a vehicle without number plates driving along Belgravia Road in Athlone. Officers stopped the vehicle and also noticed the vehicle had no licence disc. Upon further investigation, it was discovered that the vehicle was reported stolen in Maitland in 2014. A 36-year-old suspect was arrested and the vehicle was impounded.

While officers were attending to the incident, another vehicle pulled up and the driver explained to officers that he and his infant son had been shot and wounded. Officers immediately administered first aid while waiting on EMS to arrive to transport the victims to hospital.

The PECC logged 98 requests for assistance related to incidents of assault at the weekend, including 15 gunshot related trauma incidents.

‘The high levels of violence plaguing many of our communities and households remains one of our biggest concerns. That someone would take aim at a baby is not only callous, but incredibly cruel. I’m thankful that our volunteer officers were able to step in and ensure that the child and his father received the necessary medical attention. Then there is the number of assault cases reported weekend after weekend to our PECC. Violence as a means to resolve differences is not the answer – not to mention the toll it takes on families and communities.

‘I also want to commend our officers for their tireless efforts in bringing criminals to book week after week, as well as the role that our volunteer staff and the community policing structures play. It is through these collective efforts that we are able to make arrests, and remove dangerous weapons and narcotics from our streets,’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security, Alderman JP Smith.

METRO POLICE

Officers from the City’s Metro Police Department issued 3 390 fines and arrested 84 suspects during weekly patrols.

CCTV cameras identified at least three incidents of crime since Thursday, 14 July 2022. During these incidents, CCTV operators immediately informed SAPS and Metro Police, which led to the suspects being apprehended. These incidents included possession of an illegal firearm in Durbanville, driving while under the influence of alcohol in Belhar and theft out of a motor vehicle and attempted theft of a vehicle in Kloof street in the CBD.

TRAFFIC SERVICE

The City’s Traffic Service issued 55 543 fines and arrested 59 suspects for various road, driver and vehicle safety transgressions. Officers impounded 142 public transport vehicles and executed 1 652 warrants of arrest. Among those arrested were 44 motorists for driving while under the influence of alcohol and 15 for reckless and negligent driving.

Officers also conducted point duty on route to and around the DHL Stadium on Saturday for the test match between the Springboks and Wales. No major incidents were reported.

Residents are reminded to report any criminal activity or life or property threatening emergency by contacting the PECC on 021 480 7700 from a cellphone or 107 from a landline.

Source: City Of Cape Town