The City of Cape Town has launched its Festive Season Safety Plan to ensure that it is ready for the expected influx of visitors to the city.

Every year thousands of domestic and international tourists, as well as local residents, visit Cape Town and its many attractions during the summer holiday season, resulting in an increase in vehicular and pedestrian traffic and increased use of alcohol and drugs. This is conducive to disorder and criminal activities – and is also difficult to police.

City departments such as Metro Police, Traffic Services, Law Enforcement, Disaster Risk Management, Fire and Rescue Services, Sports and Recreation, Solid Waste Management, the Events & Film Office as well as the Marketing and Communication Departments have therefore devised a co-ordinated plan to alleviate possible high risk eventualities such as road accidents and fires, and control safety and security at beaches and festival events.

The plan was launched at an event held on 2 December 2008, which was attended by Cllr Dumisani Ximbi, Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security, and Heathcliff Thomas, Acting Executive Director: Safety and Security.

“This integrated plan is the brainchild of the City’s Metro Police Department and Traffic and Law Enforcement Services. Its primary aim is to ensure public safety on our roads, beaches, residential areas and central business centres, through effective traffic policing and the combating of petty offences as well as drug and alcohol related crime,” said Metro Police spokesperson Nowellen Petersen.

Merle Lourens, media spokesperson for Cape Town Traffic Services, said the plan would mean the departments would work together at operations such as roadblocks. "This is to provide a 'zero tolerance' approach to law enforcement and increase visibility,” she added.

Traffic Services are also offering free vehicle safety checks at Gallows Hill Traffic Department for motorists who are going on holiday from 09:00 to 14:00, between 09th December 2008 and 09th January 2009.

“A dedicated Festive Season Co-ordination Committee, representing various City departments is in operation to oversee the implementation of strategies to contribute towards a safe, clean and enjoyable experience for all its visitors and residents during the festive season,” said Wilfred Solomons-Johannes, Manager: Systems Integration & Special Projects, Disaster Risk Management Centre.

About 1 000 staff members, complemented by about 108 casual law enforcers, will be on duty over this period. They will carry out regular patrols at high risk crime areas and the main tourist attractions.

In addition, 700 full-time firefighters, 122 learner firefighters and 112 seasonal firefighters will be on standby in case of any fires.

A total of 269 lifeguards will be on duty at 44 of Cape Town’s beaches. Shark spotters will also be deployed.

The City's Disaster Management Team is on 24-hour full alert and is geared for all eventualities. Any emergency, (including medical, crime, fire and traffic) can be reported to the 107 emergency number from a Telkom line. Cell phone users need to dial 021 480 7700.