Cape Town - Police envision having the upper hand over criminals through a collaborative approach to crime prevention this festive season.
Launching its seasonal operations on Thursday, National Police Commissioner, Fannie Masemola, said they were focusing on nine tactical points, including safety at beaches, anti-gender-based violence (GBV), and extortion.
“The purpose of being in Mitchells Plain, Rocklands, is to launch the festive season plan of the province.
“We have nine focus areas.
“GBV, we say to men that when you get a bonus at the end of the year, it doesn’t mean you should fight at home.
“We will make sure that by-laws are enforced by metro police and law enforcement.
“Ensure people don’t make noise unnecessarily, and that people play music for themselves, those who have clubs and taverns close on time.
“We are going to fight against illegal firearms. Make sure you don’t buy stolen goods or property that may have been stolen.
“Comply at the beaches and respect each other. Road safety is also going to be prioritised and if you drink, stay at home, we are going to be out there with roadblocks.
“I urge people not to call me or Provincial Commissioner (Thembisile) Patekile when caught drunk on the road; we will encourage arrest.
“Extortion, which is a problem, we are going to find you and arrest you.”
Patekile said he is confident this festive season will be safe.
“Our partners in the fight against crime, the integrated forces on display at this event, bear testament to our joint commitment to root out crime.
“We recently formalised our working together by means of the co-operation agreement that was signed in Belhar in the presence of our principals, including the President of the Republic, His Excellency, President Ramaphosa.
“Ours is to honour that agreement. “It is encouraging that we are all speaking in one voice, as it isolates the criminal element. Criminals are few and with a joint venture like this, we are surely going to triumph.
“As the festive season is upon us, criminals also plan.
“With our all encompassing operational plan, I am quite confident we will have a safe festive season.”
Police Oversight and Community Safety MEC, Anroux Marais, said the province gains much from local and international tourism, especially over the peak summer season.
“High density operations under the Operation Shanela umbrella, roadblocks, stop and searches and the tracking and tracing of wanted suspects will dominate this period.
“An aggressive stance will be taken against serious and violent crimes so that the public can enjoy a peaceful holiday without the fear of crime.”
National Community Police board chairperson, Francina Lukas, asked neighbourhood watches to “increase responsibility, observation and vigilance.”