The City’s festive season law enforcement deployment plan is expected to prioritise the gang-affected parts of Cape Town.

Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis launched the City’s end-of-year Safety Plan on Tuesday, confirming that over 1,000 LEAP officers would assist daily police operations in gang violence hotspots.

“The City will continue its daily operations in support of the SAPS in gang violence hotspots, with over 1 000 LEAP Officers deployed in shifts in those hotspots daily. The festive season deployment does not affect this deployment,” read the City’s statement.

Safety and Security chief, JP Smith, was also at the launch in Muizenberg. He reiterated that the Safety Plan for the Festive Season emphasises operations in communities affected by gang violence.

He said law enforcement would continue their patrols in Kleinvlei, Grassy Park, Steenberg, Elsies River, Delft, Nyanga, Khayelitsha, and Mitchells Plain, alongside the work of other policing groups in the metro.

“LEAP, the Metro Police Gang and Drug Task Team and the NSOs will stay focused on their operational plans and maintain pressure on gangs and criminal networks to keep every community in Cape Town safe so all residents can enjoy the festive season,” said Smith.

According to the City, this year’s operation is its largest festive deployment to date, with more than 4,000 existing enforcement and emergency staff.

Further to this, Hill-Lewis said a stronger law enforcement presence can be expected on roads, particularly the N2, as well as in public spaces, beaches and tourism areas.

Enhanced safety measures will include increased patrols on major routes, beaches, braai areas and tourism locations such as Table Mountain. The City said vehicle checkpoints will be set up across the metro and that its highway patrol unit will operate around the clock. An additional “40-strong N2 safety deployment” will support road safety efforts.

As part of its seasonal water-safety plan, 340 beach lifeguards and 343 pool lifeguards will be on duty daily at 29 coastal sites and all public pools between 10:00 and 18:00. The Identikidz child-safety programme will also return after tagging more than “120 000 children last summer”.

The Mayoral Committee Member for Community Services and Health, Francine Higham, said lifeguards and cleaning teams are also prepared for peak season and encouraged the public to follow safety guidelines.

“Residents will see well-trained lifeguards on duty at 29 beach and coastal sites and all public pools, daily cleaning operations, and our Identikidz child-safety programme back at the busiest beaches after tagging more than 120 000 children last summer… With everyone’s cooperation, we can ensure a safe and enjoyable summer for all,” said Higham.