Cape Town - The City of Cape Town’s enforcement agencies made 312 arrests in the past week, several of which were the result of CCTV detections.
On Sunday, 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 La 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, 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.
Last Wednesday 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, 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.
Mayco member for Safety and Security, JP Smith, said: “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.”
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 Times