Cape Town has implemented enhanced safety measures for the upcoming peak tourism season, with a coordinated initiative involving the South African Police Services, SANparks, CIDs, and neighborhood watches. The city has assigned 80 staff members to oversee tourist attractions and incorporated innovative safety technology, including drones, dashcams, automatic number plate recognition, and an extensive CCTV network. The city’s dedication to safety is further illustrated through its formation of the Law Enforcement Advancement Programme.
What safety measures has Cape Town implemented for peak tourism season?
The city of Cape Town has initiated its largest and most robust tourism safety operation yet, involving a coordinated initiative with the South African Police Services, SANparks, CIDs, and neighborhood watches. The city has assigned 80 staff members to oversee tourist attractions and incorporated innovative safety technology, including drones, dashcams, automatic number plate recognition, and an extensive CCTV network. The city has set up Africa’s largest CCTV surveillance network with over 3,000 cameras and established the Metropole Integrated Joint Operational Centre at the Traffic Management Centre in Goodwood. The city’s dedication to safety is further illustrated through its formation of the Law Enforcement Advancement Programme.
Anticipation for an Exceptional Season
As daylight breaks across the scenic Table Mountain, illuminating the beautiful cityscape of Cape Town, the Tourism Unit is already in action, preparing for a lively festive season. This year, the Mother City expects record numbers of tourists, a scenario to which it has responded by initiating its largest and most robust tourism safety operation yet. The city presents an idyllic blend of breath-taking natural beauty, dynamic culture, and rich historical heritage, which are stirring up excitement.
This operation, put into action on November 8, is the result of a coordinated initiative involving the South African Police Services (SAPS), SANparks, CIDs, and neighbourhood watches. Such teamwork is indicative of the city’s commitment to a community-centered approach to ensure public safety. As Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis has emphasized, the key goal is to ensure that every visitor to Cape Town has a safe and enjoyable experience. The city recognises the immense impact of tourism on the local economy and the jobs it creates.
Leveraging Technology and Human Resources
In a remarkable display of commitment, the city has assigned 80 staff members to oversee tourist attractions such as Signal Hill, Lion’s Head, Devil’s Peak, Table Mountain trails, the Bo-Kaap, Waterfront, and CBD. However, this initiative extends beyond manpower, incorporating innovative safety technology as a critical component of the festive season operations. The technology in use includes drones, dashcams, automatic number plate recognition, and an extensive CCTV network.
The City of Cape Town’s dedication to safety is further illustrated through the formation of the Metropole Integrated Joint Operational Centre (JOC) at the Traffic Management Centre in Goodwood. This centre will collaborate with various Area JOCs, integrated beach JOCs, and the SAPS Command Centre, demonstrating that safety efforts in Cape Town are a coordinated and collaborative endeavor.
The city has also set up Africa’s largest CCTV surveillance network, with over 3,000 cameras, a clear indication of its commitment to public safety. Additionally, the city’s newly-established Highway patrol unit will be monitoring key routes such as the N2 and R300, using ‘dashcams’ fitted with Automated Number Plate Recognition technology for swift and effective enforcement.
Prioritizing Safety and Security
Safety lies at the heart of the city’s festive season strategy. Last year, more than 11,000 operations were carried out, demonstrating the city’s dedication to catering to the rising demand for safety. Alderman JP Smith, the city’s Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security, emphasizes that this year’s operations will be even more extensive.
Apart from ensuring safety, the city is also focused on providing safety travel advice for visitors, particularly in light of worrying incidents where tourists unintentionally found themselves in crime-ridden areas. This has led to the creation of platforms such as TravelWise, which provides current safety information, useful tips, and emergency contact numbers. The Band-Aid Programme has also been initiated to help those in distress, providing assistance with lost travel documents, counselling, emergency accommodation, and help in reporting incidents to the police.
The city’s commitment to safety is echoed by Cape Town Tourism CEO Enver Duminy, who stated that their unending mission is to guarantee the safety of all visitors. The city is working closely with diplomatic representatives and is interacting with GPS services to suggest safe routes for travellers in and around the metro region.
Western Cape Minister of Economic Opportunities, Mireille Wenger, recognizes the crucial role of tourism in the provincial economy and job creation. Each visitor is highly valued, and recent violent incidents have been met with strong disapproval. The city, in cooperation with law enforcement and various stakeholders, has launched one of the largest safety campaigns through the Law Enforcement Advancement Programme. As Cape Town braces for a bustling summer season, anticipating a record-breaking one million international arrivals via air, the city promises to persist in its efforts and allocate resources to ensure everyone’s safety.
As daylight fades over the vibrant city of Cape Town, the city’s dedication to public safety remains unwavering. Residents and visitors can rest assured, knowing that the city is tireless in its mission to guarantee their safety this festive season.
1. What is Cape Town’s plan for ensuring safety during peak tourism season?
Cape Town has implemented its largest and most robust tourism safety operation yet, involving a coordinated initiative with the South African Police Services, SANparks, CIDs, and neighborhood watches. The city has assigned 80 staff members to oversee tourist attractions and incorporated innovative safety technology, including drones, dashcams, automatic number plate recognition, and an extensive CCTV network. The city has set up Africa’s largest CCTV surveillance network with over 3,000 cameras and established the Metropole Integrated Joint Operational Centre at the Traffic Management Centre in Goodwood.
2. What is the Law Enforcement Advancement Programme?
The Law Enforcement Advancement Programme is a safety campaign launched by Cape Town in cooperation with law enforcement and various stakeholders. It is one of the largest safety campaigns and is aimed at ensuring public safety during the peak tourism season.
3. What is the role of the Highway patrol unit in Cape Town’s safety plan?
The newly-established Highway patrol unit will be monitoring key routes such as the N2 and R300, using ‘dashcams’ fitted with Automated Number Plate Recognition technology for swift and effective enforcement.
4. What safety travel advice is available for visitors in Cape Town?
The city is focused on providing safety travel advice for visitors, particularly in light of worrying incidents where tourists unintentionally found themselves in crime-ridden areas. This has led to the creation of platforms such as TravelWise, which provides current safety information, useful tips, and emergency contact numbers. The Band-Aid Programme has also been initiated to help those in distress, providing assistance with lost travel documents, counseling, emergency accommodation, and help in reporting incidents to the police.
5. What is the role of the Metropole Integrated Joint Operational Centre in Cape Town’s safety plan?
The Metropole Integrated Joint Operational Centre (JOC) is established at the Traffic Management Centre in Goodwood and collaborates with various Area JOCs, integrated beach JOCs, and the SAPS Command Centre. It demonstrates that safety efforts in Cape Town are a coordinated and collaborative endeavor.
6. What is Cape Town’s goal in terms of public safety during peak tourism season?
The key goal of Cape Town is to ensure that every visitor to the city has a safe and enjoyable experience. The city recognizes the immense impact of tourism on the local economy and the jobs it creates.
