Between the last week of August and the first week of September, Law Enforcement Advancement Plan (LEAP) officers, arrested 147 individuals for a variety of crimes, including possession of an illegal firearm and ammunition, possession of drugs and for the possession of dangerous weapons. The bulk of those arrested, that’s 112 were for being in possession of drugs
LEAP officers work alongside other law enforcement
agencies, such as City of Cape Town, Metro police and SAPS.
Officers are deployed in crime hotspot areas in the metro,
including, Delft, Gugulethu, Harare, Khayelitsha Kraaifontein, Mfuleni,
Mitchells Plain, Nyanga, Philippi East, and Samora Machel. Other high crime
areas in which they are deployed are Atlantis, Bishop Lavis and Hanover Park,
along with Lavender Hill, Steenberg and Grassy Park.
Western Cape’s Police Oversight & Community Safety MEC,
Reagen Allen, says LEAP officers are deployed to help reduce the murder rate in
the province
“These operations undertaken by LEAP are vital, as they are
serving to reduce murders in key hotspots in the province. The 1st quarter
crime stats of the 2022/23 financial year show how important LEAP is, as during
this period, there has been an 8,2% reduction in the murder rate when compared
to the same period of the 2021/22 financial year, at SAPS stations where LEAP
officers are currently deployed. This shows how important it is to have the
extra boots on the ground, as they ensure that extra visibility.”
Allen has once again called on Police minister, Bheki Cele
for the devolution of police in the province.
“We want to manage SAPS in the same manner, and this is why
we continue to call for the police to be devolved to a capable province and
government such as ours. I urge the National Minister of Police, Bheki Cele to
enact this, as the facts paint a clear picture. Under us, SAPS will once again become
a service that residents trust wholeheartedly.”
“It’s critical that we all continue to play a role in
creating a safer Western Cape. I urge all sectors of society to join us in the
fight against crime, as neither LEAP, nor its partners in the City of Cape Town
or SAPS alone would be able to achieve this,” he added.
Done By: Mitchum George
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