The Cape Town Central City Improvement District’s (CCID) Safety & Security department recently participated in two Crime Free Night initiatives aimed at maintaining the safe reputation of the Central City and surrounds.
An initiative of the Cape Town Central Community Police Forum (CPF), Crime Free Night sees safety partners joining forces on a particular night to fight crime within the CPF’s Central City areas.
The first Crime Free Night initiative was held on Friday 28 June and saw the Cape Town Central CPF collaborating with the South African Police Service (SAPS) and its tactical and dog units, the City of Cape Town’s Law Enforcement agency, neighbourhood watches, traffic services, security agencies and City Improvement Districts including the CCID and its Safety & Security department. Members conducted the operation from 21h00 until 05h00 the next morning.
According to the Cape Town Central CPF, as a result of the operation, SAPS did not receive any reports of crime on the night and the operation also resulted in the following outcomes:
- Eight people were arrested for being in possession of drugs such as dagga, cocaine, crystal meth and whoonga (a street drug).
- Three people were arrested for being in possession of car-breaking implements, possessing dangerous weapons and suspected stolen property.
- Four arrests were made for driving under the influence.
- 380 fines were issued by traffic services.
- Visible checkpoints were conducted at strategic locations across the city.
All the arrested suspects were taken into police custody at Cape Town Central Police Station where they remained until their first court appearance.
The Cape Town Central CPF further explained that, following the success of the first Crime Free Night, they conducted the second Crime Free Night focusing on crime prevention on Friday 27 July 2018 at the request of the SAPS cluster management. Role players included 28 SAPS members, 64 members from the CCID’s Safety & Security department, 28 members from City of Cape Town’s Law Enforcement agency, four members from the Cape Town Metro Police Department, two members from the Green Point and Oranje-Kloof City Improvement District, 59 neighbourhood watch members, 14 ADT members and seven traffic officials. The operation was deemed a resounding success resulting in the following:
- Six roadblocks.
- Eight night clubs were checked.
- Four pubs were checked. Three were issued with written warnings and one was issued a fine of R1 500 and simultaneously closed.
- 287 people were stopped and searched.
- 350 fines to the total value of R238 600 were issued.
- 90 vehicles being fined.
- 17 suspects had their fingerprints checked (via Morpho PIVA).
In addition, 48 arrests were made for drug possession, possession of car-breaking implements, failure to have proper documentation, theft out of a motor vehicle, driving under the influence, possession of stolen property and drug dealing.
Manager of CCID Safety & Security, Muneeb “Mo” Hendricks explains that partnerships are crucial to fighting crime and that is why the CCID’s Safety & Security department has always prioritised working alongside partners from the Community Police Forum, other improvement districts around the periphery of the CBD and neighbourhood watches that operate in close proximity to the CBD, in order to maintain safety.
“The success of the two nights further demonstrates the importance of partnerships and we’re proud to have been part of this all-important initiative which promotes law abidance, deters crime and creates a visible presence in the CBD. We look forward to lending our support on future operations.”
Images by Cape Town Central CPF