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December statistics reveal a mixed bag for enforcement and emergency services

During December 2023, the City’s enforcement agencies made 1 977 arrests, recovered 23 firearms and nearly 6 000 units of narcotics, and recorded 376 889 traffic and by-law transgressions. The emergency services too had their hands full, with increases in fires – most notably a more than 30% jump in vegetation fires compared to December 2022. Read more below:

'While fires and weather-related challenges dominated over the peak festive season period, the enforcement services were out and about, getting the job done. The statistics, compared to the previous December, show an increase in arrests, including drunk driving, notable confiscations of drugs and illegal firearms. There was a slight drop in motor vehicle and pedestrian accidents, as well as complaints about public drinking. Let's not forget that many of these categories are reliant on proactive and visible policing, so it says a lot about the work that our staff put in, and I thank them for the effort.'The Emergency Communication Centre reported a drop in the number of assault incidents reported, but there was a near 10% increase in domestic violence incidents. Sadly, there are many among us who are not safe in their own homes. Unfortunately, enforcement services can only act when these matters are reported, and I fear that the reported incidents paint an incomplete picture of the true state of affairs,' said the City's Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security, Alderman JP Smith.A summary of key statistics across departments is included in the table below:<table cellspacing="0" width="100%" class="ms-rteTable-default"><tbody><tr><td class="ms-rteTable-default" style="width:33.3333%;">Category</td><td class="ms-rteTable-default" style="width:33.3333%;">December 2022</td><td class="ms-rteTable-default" style="width:33.3333%;">December 2023</td></tr><tr><td class="ms-rteTable-default">Arrests</td><td class="ms-rteTable-default">1 368</td><td class="ms-rteTable-default">1 977</td></tr><tr><td class="ms-rteTable-default">Drunk driving arrests</td><td class="ms-rteTable-default">322</td><td class="ms-rteTable-default">406</td></tr><tr><td class="ms-rteTable-default">Drug confiscations</td><td class="ms-rteTable-default">4 460.25 units</td><td class="ms-rteTable-default">5 937 units</td></tr><tr><td class="ms-rteTable-default">Fines/notices</td><td class="ms-rteTable-default">309 357</td><td class="ms-rteTable-default">376 889</td></tr><tr><td class="ms-rteTable-default">Fire & Rescue total incidents</td><td class="ms-rteTable-default">3 442</td><td class="ms-rteTable-default">3 888</td></tr><tr><td class="ms-rteTable-default">Vegetation fires</td><td class="ms-rteTable-default">1 800</td><td class="ms-rteTable-default">2 425</td></tr><tr><td class="ms-rteTable-default">PECC assault incidents</td><td class="ms-rteTable-default">1 501</td><td class="ms-rteTable-default">1 217</td></tr><tr><td class="ms-rteTable-default">PECC domestic violence calls</td><td class="ms-rteTable-default">520</td><td class="ms-rteTable-default">568</td></tr><tr><td class="ms-rteTable-default">PECC road accidents</td><td class="ms-rteTable-default">617</td><td class="ms-rteTable-default">610</td></tr></tbody></table> By department, the following statistics were recorded:Law enforcement officers made 1 341 arrests and issued 24 378 fines for various transgressions. In addition, officers recovered 17 firearms, 19 imitation firearms and made 58 arrests linked to the recovery of firearms and/or imitation firearms.They also confiscated 3 587 units of drugs, compared to 2 670 units the previous December.Metro Police officers made 234 arrests, including 45 for drunk driving, and issued 19 728 fines for traffic and by-law transgressions. Officers also recovered six firearms, one imitation firearm, 67 rounds of ammunition and a hand grenade. Officers also confiscated 2 350 units of drugs, compared to 1 790.25 units in December 2022. <figure class="subtopic-fullsize-img"><img class="responsive" src="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/cityassets/Media%20Images%202/Drug%20bust.jpeg" alt="" style="width:1921px;" /></figure>Cape Town Traffic Officers made 402 arrests, including 346 motorists for driving under the influence of alcohol and 23 for reckless and negligent driving. They also executed 9 923 warrants, impounded 859 public transport vehicles and recorded 332 783 transgressions.<div> EMERGENCY SERVICESThe Fire & Rescue Service responded to a total of 3 888 emergency incidents. <figure class="subtopic-fullsize-img"><img class="responsive" src="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/cityassets/Media%20Images%202/DSC_7670.jpg" alt="" style="width:1012px;" /></figure>Among these were 2 425 vegetation fires, 272 informal residential fires, 194 formal residential fires, 319 motor vehicle accidents, 157 pedestrians knocked down and 118 trauma incidents. During the period, 20 persons died as a result of fires.</div><div> The Public Emergency Communication Centre recorded 21 020 incidents of which 37% were calls for medical assistance and 20% related to by-law transgressions.In addition, they also recorded 2 296 noise complaints, 1 217 calls relating to assault cases, 610 motor vehicle and pedestrian accidents, 568 cases of domestic violence, 184 complaints about drinking in public, 179 calls related to self-harm and 118 complaints related to the illegal sale and/or discharge of fireworks.During the festive season, the Disaster Risk Management Centre's team of dedicated volunteers played a vital role in ensuring the safety and well-being of beachgoers at 14 locations. With a total of 985 volunteers on board, their commitment and skills were put to the test with two drowning incidents that occurred. One tragic incident involved a 16-year-old who drowned at Muizenberg, prompting our volunteers to promptly perform CPR alongside other emergency staff. Additionally, our volunteers responded swiftly to numerous blue bottle stings at Muizenberg and Mnandi beach, providing necessary treatments. At Monwabisi, our volunteers also assisted the NSRI in dealing with a few near-drownings. During the month of December, the Disaster Risk Management Centre received three weather-related warnings from SAWS regarding wind, waves, and veld fires. Unfortunately, this period saw an increase in informal settlement fires as well as fires on the urban fringe. Disaster Risk Management played a crucial role in coordinating response and relief efforts.End </div>

2024-01-16T22:00:00Z

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