City law enforcement has made 312 arrests in the past week, says the City of Cape Town.
Part of it was the result of CCTV footage.
On Sunday 4 December, 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.
JP Smith, the City’s Mayco member for safety and security, said the detections and swift response by officers on the ground resulted in two arrests for driving under the influence of alcohol.
One suspect was detained at Ravensmead Police Station and the other at Goodwood police.
According to Capt Wayne Theunis, the communications officer at Goodwood police, the Goodwood office welcomes every form of assistance if it will lead to a reduction in crime or arrests of criminals.
According to Capt Theunis the suspect appeared in the Goodwood Magistrate’s Court on a charge of drunken driving.
“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 the City or South African Police Services,” Smith said.
CCTV helps manage traffic
“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 guide staff’s efforts on the ground.”
Smith continued that the detection of crime is only 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.”
