The City’s enforcement agencies made 312 arrests in the past week – several of these were the result of CCTV detections

On Sunday 4 December 2022, CCTV operators attached to the Metro Police Strategic Surveillance Unit detected two motor vehicle accidents – one on Robert Sobukwe Road, at the intersection with De Lay Rey Road, and another at Voortrekker Road and Jakes Gerwel Drive.

The detections and subsequent response by officers on the ground resulted in two arrests for driving under the influence of alcohol. One suspect was detained at Ravensmead SAPS and the other at Goodwood SAPS.

On Saturday 3 December, a CCTV operator spotted an individual busy with what looked like an illegal substance – the Metro Police Camera Response Unit investigated, and found the 23-year-old suspect in possession of a packet of cocaine – he was detained at Cape Town SAPS.

At the corner of Buitengracht and Strand streets, the cameras detected a robbery in progress. SAPS responded, and apprehended two suspects. And, while the victim refused to open a case, officers ascertained that one of the suspects was wanted on an outstanding case in Sea Point.

On Wednesday, 30 November, CCTV operators spotted three men trying to remove a gate in a park in Woodstock, but the groundsman stopped them. Law Enforcement was dispatched, and arrested two suspects, aged 60 and 29 for damage to Council property – they were detained at Woodstock SAPS.

In another incident on Tuesday, 29 November, a CCTV operator alerted ground forces to two suspicious individuals who were scoping out stationary vehicles at the intersection of Stellenbosch Arterial and Adam Tas Roads. SAPS officers apprehended both suspects and found car and housebreaking implements in their possession. The suspects were detained at Delft SAPS.

‘These CCTV successes once again show the efficacy of technology as a crime fighting tool, particularly where the information is relayed quickly and followed by a response, whether City or SAPS. The camera network might be the property of the City, but it is a tool available to all enforcement agencies. As we head into one of the busiest periods of the year, we will rely even more heavily on this and other technology to act as a force multiplier and to guide the efforts of staff on the ground.

‘However, the detection of crime is only the half of it. We also use CCTV over the festive season to help manage traffic, particularly around our coastal areas, to detect fires or other emergency incidents where these occur in the camera footprint, and to redirect our resources accordingly,’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security, Alderman JP Smith.

In general enforcement efforts over the past week, the City’s enforcement agencies made 312 arrests and issued 66 563 traffic and by-law fines.

Cape Town Traffic Services arrested 68 suspects, recorded 59 402 offences, impounded 96 public transport vehicles and executed 1 313 warrants of arrest.

Law Enforcement officers made 157 arrests and issued 4 021 fines, while Metro Police officers made 87 arrests and issued 3 140 fines.

Source: City Of Cape Town