As the academic year draws to a close, the the City of Cape Town’s Law Enforcement Department is highlighting the work of its School Resource Unit in keeping schools and surrounding communities safe.
Six schools
The City’s School Resource Unit has grown in size and impact since the pilot project in 2012, when officers were deployed at six schools to improve safety.
The unit has since branched out to include patrols and interventions in the areas around schools too, with a much larger footprint of 123 officers deployed at 63 schools and surrounds.
Between January and September 2026, officers made 22 arrests, issued 2 981 fines for various traffic and by-law transgressions, confiscated 90 dangerous weapons, 591.5 units of drugs, a firearm, and an imitation firearm.
They also confiscated 4 696 smoking implements from learners, including vapes, lighters, and cigarettes.
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“There has been a steady decline in the number of dangerous weapons confiscated in recent years, which is a good sign, although the use of tobacco and related products among learners remains cause for concern. Not only does it impact their health, but there’s also the risk of escalation to other substances.
“Our School Resource Officers work closely with schools and communities in their areas of deployment to keep school grounds safe spaces, but they’ve also developed a range of programmes to boost youth development. These social crime prevention efforts and the dedication of the officers involved should be applauded. Not only does it improve the immediate learning environment, but it also mitigates the risk of young people falling in with the wrong crowd,” said the City’s mayco member safety and security JP Smith.
From enforcement to youth development
The SROs are involved in different programmes including sports, cultural activities like marching bands and choirs, and education and awareness efforts addressing issues like peer pressure, bullying, and other anti-social behaviours.
In recent years, they’ve also established an annual netball tournament and an annual fun run at Zeekoevlei.
The most recent instalment of the fun run on Thursday, 24 September, saw 168 learners from 12 schools taking on the six-kilometre route.
Schools that were represented were Liwa Primary, Kalksteenfontein Primary, Pelican Park Primary, Hillwood Primary, Hindle High, Elswood High, Beauvallon High, Arcadia High, Bulumko High, Dr. Nelson Mandela High, Joe Slovo High, and Pelican Park High.
Building safer schools through prevention
Over the past three years, the SROs have also worked alongside the Hanns Seidel Foundation and the Western Cape Education Department to implement the YES-SA violence prevention programme at nine schools in Delft and Hanover Park.
The programme objectives are to prevent violence, build learners’ confidence and self-esteem, and create a safe, supportive environment in which children feel comfortable expressing themselves, sharing their concerns, and seeking assistance when needed.
To date, 42 SROs have received initial training to facilitate the implementation of the programme.
“It is incredibly encouraging to see how the SRO initiative has evolved over time. Yes, they can enforce the law when required, but their day-to-day tasks also highlight the softer side of the uniform, which is as critical to public safety. As we round out the academic year, I want to thank each one of the officers for their role in helping to build brighter futures for the young people in their care. I also want to encourage parents to take an active role in their children’s schooling, to support school initiatives, and for learners to take ownership of their actions and to be ambassadors for change,” added Smith.
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