EPIC data paints sobering picture of alcohol-linked incidents

01 January 1970

The Emergency Policing Incident Control (EPIC) system records all incidents reported to Safety and Security, and monitors resources that are dispatched. An analysis of weekend statistics over an 18-month period shows which incidents are most common, and the top-ranked areas. Read more below:

The EPIC report focused on certain categories of incidents reported on weekends, between 22:00 and 04:00, as well as public holidays, during the same time period. While the incidents described are not explicitly linked to alcohol consumption, it is reasonable to infer that alcohol may have been a contributing factor.

Of the 36 649 incidents recorded, noise nuisances accounted for 36,5%, assault (24,7%), motor vehicle and pedestrian accidents (22,1%) and domestic violence cases at 12%.

During the same 18-month period, the City's Law Enforcement Department shut down 1 627 illegal liquor premises.

'The EPIC platform allows for central incident registration and rapid response capabilities, and helps see exactly which resources are where, and when. We can also use data and other visual aids to detect trends, which in turn helps with resourcing and deployment. Reports like these are incredibly useful for those in the enforcement and emergency services environment, but also for those departments and NGOs tasked with tackling issues related to our social fabric,' said Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security, Alderman JP Smith.

The report was completed at the behest of the Safety and Security Portfolio Committee, and served at its monthly meeting in April.

'We speak often about the challenge that alcohol presents to enforcement and emergency services. This report simply confirms it, and while it is quite disheartening, on the plus side, we have a sense of which areas are most problematic and how we should deploy our resources in response, like our liquor enforcement operations,' said Committee Chairperson, Councillor Mzwakhe Nqavashe.

By area, Philippi and the Cape Town CBD had the highest incident count of the categories included in the report.

'The data is based on incidents reported – we have to acknowledge that many incidents go unreported, particularly assaults and domestic violence. And while many people are able to use alcohol responsibly, the reality is that its abuse does place an unnecessary strain on emergency and enforcement resources. Policing has its shortcomings, but one also has to ask where does personal accountability begin.' Added Alderman Smith.

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Published by:
City of Cape Town, Media Office