In an area of only 1.62km2, the Cape Town Central City boasts 63 bars and clubs, over 114 restaurants, five theatres and many other “after hour” venues so it’s no surprise that the CBD is a popular venue for partygoers and others looking for entertainment. And while the Cape Town Central City Improvement District deploys safety teams around the clock to keep revellers safe, it’s often a personal choice to ensure that you stay as safe as you can be.
Says Muneeb “Mo” Hendricks, manager of Safety & Security for the CCID: “Staying safe while you are out enjoying yourself in the Cape Town Central City is often a case of just being sensible: being aware of your surroundings, and acting in a manner that will not draw you unnecessarily into any type of danger.”
These are the same safety measures that anyone should take, anywhere in the world, where nighttime economies exist. To this end, Mo has a number of tips he encourages every visitor to the Central City to keep in the back of their heads, irrespective of how much fun they are having.
1. Never accept open drinks from strangers, or leave drinks unattended. “It takes just a split second for someone to distract you, and slip something into your drink in a club or restaurant,” warns Mo.
2. Keep your personal belongings safe. “Hanging bags over the back of chairs, or leaving them unattended on the floor under a table is just an open invitation for anyone with sticky fingers to help themselves.”
3. Let someone know where you intend to be. “Keep a family member or friend posted of where you intend to spend the evening. If something should happen to you, they will know where to start looking for you.”
4. Don’t leave your friend alone or wander off alone yourself. “There really is safety in numbers. Stay together with whoever you came with, and help to look out for each other.”
5. Drink responsibly. “You don’t have to finish everything behind the bar in one night. Enjoy yourself, certainly, but remember the consequences that overindulgence can have, from making you completely unaware of your circumstances and thus vulnerable to opportunists looking to commit a crime, to the serious consequences of a drunk driving charge – or worse – should you be caught in an inebriated state behind a wheel.”
6. Never leave a venue with someone you’ve just met, no matter how well you think it’s going, and for that matter never allow an unknown person into your space. “Con artists and crooks come in enormously charming shapes and sizes. Always put your personal safety first before giving anyone the benefit of the doubt. This also applies to accepting lifts from strangers, no matter how friendly they are.”
8. If you do need to get yourself home, or get separated from your friends, only used registered taxis or official Uber drivers. “Keep the name and number of a registered taxi service on your phone, or download the Uber app onto your cell phone, so that you have these immediately to hand should you need these services.”
9. Finally, keep the CCID 24-hour control centre number (082 415 7127) on your phone if you are partying in the Central City. “We have patrols on each and every block of the CBD, who can be with you in a heartbeat should you feel threatened or become a victim of crime.”
Image by TJ Jenkins (CCID Night Manager)