City services remain on high alert following New Year’s weekend

The City of Cape Town’s Safety and Security Directorate reported a busy and successful New Year’s weekend, with no major incidents reported. All services will remain on high alert for the next two weeks during which Cape Town hosts a cricket test match at Newlands, the annual Queens Plate at Kenilworth Race course, matrics receive their final exam results, Capetonians return from their holidays and learners return to school.

Throughout the festive season, the City has deployed additional personnel to protect residents and visitors. Over the New Year’s weekend City staff clamped down on alcohol on the City’s beaches, drunk driving and enforcement of the City’s by-laws to ensure a safe environment for families in particular to visit our many beaches, pools and recreational areas.

Consumption of alcohol on the City’s beaches remains a primary focus area during the festive season. By ensuring that no alcohol is consumed on City beaches, officers are able to limit the number of alcohol-related drowning events and ensure a peaceful environment for all beach-goers.

At about 13:30 on Tuesday 1 January 2012, a 34 year-old man from the Witsand informal settlement in Atlantis nearly drowned at Melkbosstrand Beach. Law Enforcement’s Marine Unit rescued the man and performed CPR until he was stable. It has been alleged that the male in question was under the influence of alcohol. This incident illustrates the importance of enforcing the by-laws which prohibit the use of alcohol on beaches.

From 24 December 2011 to 1 January 2012, officers issued 453 fines for possession of alcohol on City beaches to the value of R69 550. In total, 2 372 bottles of liquor were confiscated. From just one group of five people on Camps Bay Beach, officers confiscated 59 bottles of alcohol. Camps Bay, Strand and Big Bay reported the highest number of incidents relating to possession of alcohol.

The City found that its deployment of undercover staff during the festive season was very effective in targeting alcohol possession on beaches. This method will be continued in the coming weeks.

Unfortunately five fatal drowning incidents were reported on the City’s beaches between 24 December 2011 and 2 January 2012. However, there has been a significant decline in the number of drownings at Monwabisi Beach: 2009 saw 38 incidents; 2010 saw nine incidents and 2011 saw no incidents.

This festive season the City conducted an intensive public awareness and preparedness campaign across the city to highlight the dangers of fires and teach communities how to prevent fires. The campaign has had a positive effect in that no fire-related deaths were reported this festive season. There were only two major fire incidents – in Dunoon and Overcome Heights – but both were attended to quickly thus limiting damage.

There were no serious complaints regarding fireworks on New Year’s Eve and residents and businesses largely complied with the City’s regulations. No injuries related to fireworks were reported this year, in contrast to the six injuries reported in 2010.

The City’s Traffic Services, Metro Police, Disaster Risk Management and Law Enforcement Services, along with the South African Police Services, maintained a high presence during the three Minstrel events held in the CBD over the festive season. The Christmas Choir Bands Road March on 24 December 2011; the Malay Choir Annual Road March on 31 December 2011; and the Minstrels Road March on 2 January 2012 went smoothly and no serious incidents were reported. This is a significant achievement considering the large number of spectators and participants. At its peak on 2 January 2012, the Minstrels Road March attracted 120 000 people to the CBD.

During the events the City provided security, medical assistance, fencing, cleansing, water points, and portable toilets.

In addition, the City ensured that a great detail of video footage was captured on its surveillance cameras during the events. City services will study this footage to identify areas for improvement for future events.

With the first week of January well underway, law enforcement officers will continue to maintain a highly visible presence for the busy weekends which still lie ahead.

With the schools reopening next week, residents who have been away on holiday are expected to begin returning to Cape Town. City Traffic Officers will be on high-alert and Operation Exodus will shift to ensure vehicles coming into Cape Town are checked for roadworthiness.

Matrics receive their results tomorrow, 5 January 2012 and learners are warned not to consume alcohol in public places such as beaches. Officers will be out in full force conducting patrols and clamping down to ensure compliance with the City’s by-laws. City Traffic Officers will also focus on drinking and driving. Learners who intend to consume alcohol at bars and restaurants must designate a sober driver or take a taxi.

Cape Town is also playing host to two major sporting events: the cricket test against Sri Lanka at Newlands and the L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate horse race at the Kenilworth Racecourse. City services will maintain a high visibility presence during the events and Traffic Officers will ensure minimal disruption to the surrounding areas.

Emergencies

Residents are reminded to report any emergency (including medical, crime, fire and traffic) to the 107 emergency number from a Telkom line. Cell phone users need to dial 021 480 7700.

Article source: http://www.capetown.gov.za/en/Pages/CityservremainhighalertfolNewYearwknd.aspx