‘Today we are conducting a truly massive anti-crime operation in Marikana informal settlement and surrounds. This involves over 750 officers from Metro Police, Law Enforcement, Traffic, and LEAP, SAPS and more. K-9 and mounted units are also deployed these operations will continue randomly. Criminals beware – you will be caught. Law abiding residents take note – the City of Cape Town is on your side and will not stop until we see crime coming down in this area,’ said Mayor, Geordin Hill-Lewis.
Why are we doing this?
The most recent quarterly crime statistics indicated a downturn in crime in all areas where LEAP officers are deployed, except in Philippi East and Crossroads.
The City does not take this lightly.
‘The LEAP programme is a partnership with the Western Cape Government, and if we are collectively making big investments in making Capetonians safer, then we must see results. While we are very happy with LEAP results elsewhere, we are not happy with the results here. So we are responding, with an even more targeted approach.
Crime in Crossroads is terrorising law abiding residents there. I have spoken to residents who fear the daily walk to bus or taxi stops, and who are asked to pay protection money by extortion gangs just to live in their own homes. So we are upping the ante in Crossroads with a truly massive LEAP and law enforcement presence,’ added Hill-Lewis.
The high visibility crime prevention operations were preceded by a clean-up operation in the area yesterday where more than 1 000 bags of litter were removed.
Apart from increased visibility, City enforcement staff in conjunction with SAPS and other relevant role players are also conducting compliance inspections at liquor premises and scrapyards in the area.
‘In the past such operations would have consisted only of uniformed members but today’s operation sees the participation of our investigative and crime information services to ensure that we are engaging in smarter and more information driven policing. Along with the helicopter and drones, this assists officers on the ground to be more effective. While crime prevention is a key focus, traffic and by-law enforcement are equally important, and so too ensuring that places of business are not contributing to the illicit economy. This is a massive undertaking aimed at taking back the streets from criminals, and leaving law-abiding residents with some peace of mind. However, we do urge residents to say something if they see something. Safer communities are contingent on trust and cooperation between citizens and the uniformed services.
‘Residents are reminded that the City has a dedicated tip-off line where information can be relayed 24-hours a day. If the information leads to a successful arrest, or the recovery of stolen property or contraband, the person can receive a reward. They can also remain anonymous. That number is 0800 110077,’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security, Alderman JP Smith.