The City’s Safety and Security Directorate’s enforcement agencies made 242 arrests over the past week – a quarter of these were for drunk driving.
Law Enforcement officers conducted 171 operations, made 156 arrests and issued 3 103 notices.
And, in just less than 24 hours into the new year, LEAP officers recovered four firearms.
At 06:10 on Monday, 1 January, officers came across an incident of mob justice in Driftsands. They intervened, and managed to get the person away from the crowd – he had been accused of robbery. Officers recovered the firearm that was allegedly used by the suspect. He sustained head injuries from the assault, and was taken to hospital, under police guard.
At approximately 13:30, officers in Atlantis received information of a suspect openly carrying a firearm. Officers responded, apprehended the suspect and recovered a firearm and ammunition. During the arrest, some community members became riotous and assaulted the suspect. He sustained a head wound and was taken to Wesfleur hospital for medical attention.
At 22:50, officers on patrol in Manenberg came across a motorcyclist driving without lights and not displaying a number plate. During their interaction, officers requested permission to conduct a search, and found the suspect in possession of a modified firearm. He was detained at Manenberg SAPS.
Just after midnight this morning, officers on patrol in Atlantis were flagged down by a woman who informed them that someone had pointed a firearm at her. Officers set off in the direction the victim provided, and saw the suspect throwing an object onto a nearby roof. The suspect was arrested and detained at Atlantis SAPS. Officers also recovered the firearm.
METRO POLICE DEPARTMENT
Metro Police officers made 29 arrests, including 13 for driving under the influence. Officers also issued 2 959 fines for traffic and by-law transgressions.
On Sunday, 31 December 2023, Metro Police Officers in Strand came across a vehicle that was swerving in the road. They stopped the driver, and he was arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol and reckless and negligent driving.
In Bonteheuwel, officers spotted another vehicle swerving in the roadway. A 29-year-old motorist was arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol, after returning a breathalyser test that was three times over the legal limit.
In the Brackenfell area, officers pulled over a motorist who was driving recklessly. A 36-year-old motorist was arrested for drunk driving.
CAPE TOWN TRAFFIC SERVICE
In the past week, Cape Town Traffic Services recorded 38 934 speeding offences and issued 14 252 fines for various traffic violations. Officers also impounded 201 vehicles and executed 954 warrants of arrest.
A total of 57 arrests were made for the following offences:
· 47 for driving under the influence of alcohol
· four for reckless and negligent driving
· six arrests on various charges including possession of a stolen vehicle, false documentation and assaulting an officer
‘In some respects, the period between Christmas and New Year was slightly quieter from an enforcement and emergency perspective. And, while the most recent long weekend was slightly shorter, it presented its own challenges. There was a marked increase in noise complaints, likely from New Year’s related celebrations. We also had over a hundred calls about the discharge of fireworks in residential areas, and drunk driving accounted for a quarter of all arrests for the week, with numerous drivers swerving their way into 2024. Then we had LEAP confiscating four firearms in less than 20 hours on the first day of the new year. It’s a sobering reminder of the extent of firearm-related crime that we continue to grapple with,’ said Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security, Alderman JP Smith.
EMERGENCY SERVICES
The City’s Fire and Rescue Service responded to 736 incidents between Wednesday, 27 December and Monday, 1 January 2024. Of these, vegetation fires accounted for 63% of all incidents.
The Public Emergency Communication Centre recorded 2 982 incidents over the long weekend up to New Year’s Day.
This included 423 noise complaints, 209 assaults, 93 domestic violence incidents, 65 motor vehicle accidents, 33 incidents of self-harm and 13 accidents involving pedestrians.
The Centre also fielded 29 calls about the illicit sale of fireworks, and 111 complaints about the discharge of fireworks in residential areas.
