City services record more than 1200 arrests over the festive season
17 January 2022
More than 1 000 general arrests, nearly 5 000 warrant arrests, nearly two dozen illegal firearms and just shy of 50 000 calls to the City’s Public Emergency Communications Centre – these are just some of the statistics that underpin the efforts of the City’s Safety and Security Directorate since 1 December 2021. Read more below:
‘There is great interest in our readiness for the festive season each year, and so it is only fair to show the public what was achieved during this period. It is also important to pause and acknowledge the many hours that our staff have put in, often under difficult circumstances, and to express our thanks to them for all they do. Many staff forfeit time with their loved ones to ensure the well-being of others, and we need to take cognisance of that. While you and your loved ones are enjoying a day out, these men and women are there, directing traffic, patrolling the public areas to maintain law and order, and being on hand to respond to emergencies or to take your call for help,’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security, Alderman JP Smith.
Between 1 December and 15 January 2022, the City’s enforcement agencies made at least 1 203 arrests on a range of charges including drunk driving, possession of drugs, firearms and ammunition, dangerous weapons, contact and property crimes and more.
Among those arrested were 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.
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.
A breakdown of some of the departmental successes is outlined below:
| TOTAL ARRESTS | 5 300 |
| DWI ARRESTS | 175 |
| WARRANT ARRESTS | 4997 |
| FINES ISSUED | 396 297 |
| VEHICLES CHECKED – OPERATION EXODUS | 571 |
| CELLPHONES IMPOUNDED | 495 |
| PUBLIC TRANSPORT VEHICLES IMPOUNDED | 630 |
| STOLEN VEHICLES RECOVERED | 3 |
| TOTAL ARRESTS | 482 |
| DWI ARRESTS | 8 |
| TRAFFIC FINES ISSUED | 4 021 |
| BY-LAW FINES ISSUED | 6 455 |
| FIREARMS CONFISCATED | 11 (9 arrests) |
| AMMUNITION CONFISCATED | 91 rounds (11 arrests) |
| IMITATION FIREARMS CONFISCATED | 15 (15 arrests) |
| DANGEROUS WEAPONS CONFISCATED | 81 (44 arrests) |
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, they’ve confiscated at least seven firearms.
| TOTAL ARRESTS | 322 |
| DWI ARRESTS | 46 |
| TRAFFIC FINES ISSUED | 18 838 |
| BY-LAW FINES ISSUED | 5 247 |
| FIREARMS CONFISCATED | 4 |
| AMMUNITION CONFISCATED | 35 rounds |
| IMITATION FIREARMS CONFISCATED | 6 |
| HIGHWAY PATROL INCIDENTS | 439 |
| CCTV INCIDENTS DETECTED | 1 234 |
‘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. 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 Alderman Smith.
End
Published by:
City of Cape Town, Media Office
