Business operators in Long Street have lauded law enforcement for their efforts to keep the street peaceful and safe this festive period, as a safe Long Street means a positive impact on business.
Thembeka Mpofu, manager of Capellos is pleased with business picking up and lauded law enforcement for a stellar job in ensuring law and order on the very busy Long Street.
“We feel safe. There is order and this is not only important for us who operate on Long Street, but also our local Capetonians and tourists alike,” she said.
Nkululeko Komna, regional manager in the Western Cape of Legends Barber, is pleased with business and the influx of tourists who have returned to Long Street.
“If I compare July until December last year to this festive period, we have improved significantly by at least 36%. We are even looking at expanding and renovating the barbershop, business has been good,” he said.
Tourist, Helen Heyns from the UK will be residing at an Air B&B in Long Street for two weeks said she was pleased to see law enforcement vehicles patrolling every evening.
Safety and security manager of Cape Town Central City Improvement District (CCID) Mo Hendricks, said the CCID has conducted an audit of entertainment nodes and has set deployment measures in place to deal with increased activity.
“Long Street has a far younger crowd and requires more attention for alcohol related /induced offences, whereas Bree Street attracts a more mature crowd and requires a different intervention to reduce risk,” he said.
Hendricks said CCID has seen a huge influx of people into the CBD over the last period, especially when there are major events in town.
“It is clear that people are keen to get out and enjoy what is on offer in town and enjoy the festive atmosphere, after months of restrictions due to the pandemic,” he said.
As part of CCID’s response to law enforcement this festive period on Long street and surrounding areas, they have partnered to form a cohesive festive season crime prevention plan to avoid duplication and miscommunication.
Hendricks admits that the CCID continues to face challenges in their pursuit of diligent law enforcement, as scammers are on the increase during this festive period.
“We have an ongoing problem in town with ATM fraudsters who dress up as security guards and then convince visitors to the CBD that they need a ‘permit’ to walk in the street or attend a big event.
“These fraudsters tell their victims these ‘permits’ can be issued at an ATM, where they then get the person’s bank card or their PIN. Other issues involve petty crime such as pickpocketing – mainly of cell phones – and chain snatching,” he said.
Hendricks warned the public to be vigilant when coming to Cape Town.
Wayne Dyason, spokesperson for City Law Enforcement said apart from normal deployment, every first Thursday of the month Law Enforcement beefs up deployment with other services including SAPS.
“Officers focus on prostitution, aggressive begging, drug-related crimes, drinking in public/side-walks and riotous behaviour, as well as organised crime (card scammers). Our crime pattern analysis shows sporadic theft out of motor vehicles in Long Street,” he said.
Ruth Solomons, spokesperson for the City’s Metro Police Department, said they conduct regular joint operations with the City’s Health Department and the Western Cape Liquor Authority doing inspections along Long Street. These type of operations are ongoing.