More than 6 000 arrested in Cape Town over festive period

The City of Cape Town’s Law Enforcement agencies arrested more than 6 000 suspects over the festive period.

Of these, 1 203 were arrested on a range of charges including drunk driving, possession of drugs, firearms and ammunition, dangerous weapons, contact and property crimes, among others; 229 drivers who were found to be under the influence of alcohol.

The City’s Traffic Service also took 4 997 motorists into custody for outstanding warrants.

In the first two weeks of January 2022, the Law Enforcement Department has made a further 224 arrests, and issued 10 190 fines. During this period, officers confiscated at least seven firearms.

‘’’These statistics tell only one side of the story. Apart from the enforcement actions that result in arrests or confiscations, our staff also engage in public education and awareness, and are deployed specifically to save residents from harm. Our Disaster Management Department also worked tirelessly on the beaches and other public spaces to promote safety, ensure adherence to Covid-19 protocols and recently they also resumed their Firewise campaign,’’ said the City’s Mayco Member for Safety and Security, JP Smith.

‘’It really is a mammoth undertaking, and I applaud each and every service member for their contribution, but also our external partners like the CIDs, the SAPS, the Neighbourhood Watches and the Department of Community Safety,’’ added  Smith.

Between the Law Enforcement and Metro Police Departments, they confiscated at least 22 firearms, 147 rounds of ammunition and 21 imitation firearms.

The City’s Public Emergency Communication Centre fielded 49 735 calls in December 2021. Of these, 8 143 were calls for medical assistance, and 1 479 were trauma-related calls.

 

PICTURE: CoCT

Done By: Mitchum George