Mixed bag for City enforcement agencies over the Christmas long weekend
28 December 2020
From a raft of domestic violence complaints attended to by the City’s Metro Police Department to drunk driving and attacks on staff, officers had their hands full.
The City’s enforcement agencies made at least 100 arrests in the last week and issued 51 353 fines. They also impounded 19 vehicles and 31 cellphones.
Among the incidents recorded were:
A 37-year-old arrested in Gordon’s Bay after speeding off to avoid a routine K9 vehicle search. He was later found with a sock containing nine bankies of tik and three bankies of cocaine.
Five domestic violence complaints responded to by Metro Police officers in Brooklyn, Delft, Retreat, Masiphumelele and Bishop Lavis between Tuesday 22 December and Thursday 24 December. Their interventions resulted in four arrests of suspects aged between 17 and 44.
A 36-year-old suspect arrested for possession of a stolen motorbike in Simon’s Town after a high speed chase with traffic officials
The recovery of a R5 rifle magazine and 31 rounds of ammunition in Hanover Park by LEAP officers who were approached by a resident whose granddaughter picked up the magazine
LEAP officers who came to the assistance of a 19-year-old woman who tried to jump from the Hindle Road bridge along the R300
‘Our staff have had a busy few days, catching suspects involved in criminal activity but also coming to the aid of residents in need. While it may be the season of good tidings and peace, our city has seen conflict in a number of areas, including flare ups in gang violence with fatal consequences.
‘We have had some respite on the beaches, where attendance was much lower compared to what we are accustomed to. Even our alcohol confiscation statistics were much lower as a result of the lower numbers, but also restricted alcohol trade,’ said the Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security, Alderman JP Smith.
There were several incidents of attacks on staff during the period.
At Harmony Park, a taxi driver was arrested on Christmas Day for assaulting a Law Enforcement officer. The suspect became violent when the officer approached him about consuming alcohol in a public space.
Just before 20:00 on Boxing Day, firefighters responding to motor vehicles alight in Ocean View had to take cover as shots rang out while they were attending to the incident.
And in Simon’s Town, a traffic officer narrowly missed being hit by a motorcyclist who was trying to evade capture.
COVID-19 MONITORING AND ENFORCEMENT
In the last week, Safety and Security staff have conducted 220 compliance visits at swimming pools, more than 1 300 visits to beaches, 365 visits at retailers, shopping malls and corner shops, 45 visits to entertainment/licensed establishments and 68 visits to public transport interchanges.
A nightclub in Long Street was found to be operating at 23:00 and exceeding occupancy rates, as stipulated in the disaster management regulations.
Other complaints responded to included restaurants, churches and liquor stores alleged to be operating in contravention of the regulations.
‘We have been very clear in our message to the public at large, but also businesses about the need for self-regulation. To the many people who have taken the message to heart and who have given up on many traditions in order to comply with COVID-19 regulations, we say thank you. Unfortunately there will always be those who behave like they are a law unto themselves or believe that the rules do not apply to them. One would think that the health crisis we are battling with would be reason enough to comply, but experience shows this not to be the case. Our staff will continue to enforce the regulations to the best of their ability, but we appeal for common sense and cooperation from our city,’ added Alderman Smith.
End
Published by:
City of Cape Town, Media Office
