Cape Town has seen a significant increase in Law Enforcement escorts for City staff and contractors this financial year, correlating with the launch of the Facility Protection Officers (FPO) initiative in May 2023.
The FPOs, operating under the Law Enforcement Department's Rapid Response Unit, aim to protect City facilities from vandalism and theft and ensure the safety of City projects and personnel. Since their introduction, visits and patrols at City facilities have risen by 32%, and alarm incidents have decreased by 20%.
In a nine-month comparison, the number of safety escorts increased by 70%, from 759 in 2022/23 to 1,292 in the current year. Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security, Alderman JP Smith, highlighted the escalating risks faced by staff and contractors, emphasizing the need for such protective measures to maintain essential services. "The massive spike in escorts speaks to our commitment to keeping staff and contractors safe, and to ensure that service delivery happens as needed," said Smith. "Sadly, it is also a reflection of the very difficult circumstances in many of our communities. No one should have to worry about their safety when heading out to fix a street light, or a pipe, or to put out a fire."
The City has also launched an anti-extortion campaign, including a 24-hour hotline (0800 00 6992) and rewards for reporting incidents. Additionally, the internal investigative unit has registered 105 cases with SAPS since January 2023.
Smith called for enhanced collaboration between SAPS and City services, stressing the need for real-time crime data sharing and better-resourced investigators to tackle extortion effectively.
Done by: Veerle Kroon
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