Cape Town emergency call centre records sharp spike in incidents as festive season kicks off

10 Dec 2024

In Cape Town’s first weekend of December more than 2,000 incidents of domestic violence, assault cases and vehicle accidents were recorded by the Public Emergency Communication Centre.

Over 48 hours on the first weekend of December 2024, the City of Cape Town recorded a 25% spike in emergency calls. More than 2,000 incidents were recorded by the Public Emergency Communication Centre, with more than 500 medical complaints.

According to the City, 2,025 incidents were recorded on 7 and 8 December. Just more than a quarter (511) were medical complaints. The centre also recorded 138 assault cases, 67 domestic violence incidents, 81 motor vehicle and pedestrian accidents and 307 noise complaints, up from 215 the weekend before.

Mayoral committee member for safety and security JP Smith has urged residents to party responsibly, inform neighbours in advance, and agree on a time to lower the volume to avoid conflicts. He emphasises maintaining good neighbourly relations during festivities.

“It’s that time of year when parties and get-togethers are more frequent, and loud. While no one wants to be a Grinch or party pooper, I do encourage residents to party responsibly and consider those around them. Let your neighbours know if you’re having a party, and commit to turning the volume down at a predetermined time, so that everyone is on the same page, and there is no unnecessary escalation of tensions or impact on neighbourly relations,” he said.

The City said Cape Town Traffic Services made 30 arrests, including 18 for driving under the influence of alcohol, seven for reckless and negligent driving and five for various other offences.

They recorded 37,655 offences, impounded 209 public transport vehicles and executed 1,126 arrest warrants.

Cape Town emergency call centre JP Smith Mayoral committee member for safety and security JP Smith. (Photo: Gallo Images / Network24 / Jaco Marais)

“Motorists are reminded to settle their fines and warrants, or run the risk of spending time behind bars. Our current roadshow has seen more than 1,000 motorists already handling their business. If you haven’t done so yet, get to the CBD by Wednesday, 11 December, and get help with all of your fines and warrants in one place,” Smith said.

The weekend arrests follow the City’s festive season safety campaign, launched last month by mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis and Smith. The city-wide programme will extend through the holiday season and into early 2025.

Read more: Cape Town to deploy record 5,000 law-enforcement personnel for festive season

This programme will include a record number of police on duty, with more than 5,000 law enforcement personnel deployed this holiday season. Hill-Lewis said 1,000 law enforcement training college cadets and 4,000 uniformed enforcement and emergency personnel would be deployed in shifts.

“To anyone that thinks that he can drink and drive this festive season, there will be roadblocks spread throughout Cape Town. You cannot get away with drinking and driving so please don’t even try it. You will get caught and the consequence will be severe,” he said.

According to Smith, the hotspots include Manenberg, Mitchells Plain, Hanover Park, Atlantis, Elsies River, Lavender Hill and Khayelitsha, all of which feature gang violence and recent mass shootings.

Drones would be used to make it easier for officers to enter hotspots and reduce injuries to officers by informing them of any hazards. They would also be wearing body cameras. DM

Categories:

Tags:

DM is much better if you are signed in...

South Africa