 | Drakenstein Municipality launches Safer Festive Season Readiness Plan
13 December 2023 | Press Releases |
13 December 2023
In preparation for the festive season, Drakenstein Municipality launched its Safer Festive Season Readiness Plan on Tuesday, 12 December 2023, together with its partners. The plan is designed to create a safe environment and to jointly facilitate processes around road and traffic safety, riverbank safety, safety at municipal swimming pools and resorts, fire safety, law enforcement, tourism and visitor safety, and land invasion.
“Our Safer Festive Season Readiness Plan will primarily focus on maintaining and promoting public safety but will also prioritise basic service delivery. We have identified high-risk locations and areas of concern, which will be specifically targeted by our combined response team,” said Alderman Conrad Poole, Executive Mayor of Drakenstein Municipality.
Drakenstein Municipality’s integrated Safer Festive Season Readiness Plan is based on collaboration with the South African Police Service (SAPS), community police forums (CPFs), law enforcement agencies, farm and neighbourhood watches, and registered security companies.
Delivering the keynote address on “Safety Rests on Everyone’s Shoulders” at the launch, Reagen Allen, Western Cape Minister of Police Oversight and Community Safety, said: “This event is quite significant, as it brings the Western Cape Safety Plan (WCSP) to life. Collaboration and cooperation between the various spheres of government is vital if we’re to ensure we achieve a safer municipal area and district.
“I commend the Municipality for stepping up in this regard, and demonstrating how they are contributing to ultimately achieve a safer Western Cape. The buy-in of all residents along with local and international visitors is also important if we’re to ensure a safer festive season.
“I therefore urge everyone to work with the various authorities, and to take responsibility for each other’s safety. Not only do we wish to see you in 2024, but we want to ensure that we can all live in improved and safer environments, and in a dignified manner,” said Minister Allen.
The event was also attended by Dr Ivan Meyer, Western Cape Minister of Agriculture, and Ricardo Mackenzie, Western Cape Minister of Mobility, Dr Elna von Schlicht, Executive Mayor of the Cape Winelands District Municipality, and Avron Appollis, Mayoral Committee Member for Public Safety of Drakenstein Municipality.
“The festive season is a busy time for Drakenstein, and we want our residents and visitors to enjoy a safe holiday season. That is why we place so much emphasis on being prepared to deal with any eventuality – rapidly and efficiently,” said Alderman Poole.
Key focus areas of Drakenstein Municipality’s Safer Festive Season Readiness Plan include:
Road and traffic safety
• Random vehicle checkpoints will be set up across Drakenstein to check for unroadworthy vehicles and invalid vehicle or drivers licenses.
• Drunk drivers will be prosecuted.
• While recognising minibus taxis’ essential role in community transport, strict actions will be taken against unroadworthy taxis, reckless driving, operating on unlicensed routes, overloading, speeding, and traffic obstructions during pickups or drop-offs, all subject to full legal prosecution.
Safety along the banks of the Berg River
• During the hot summer days, many people gather along the Berg River to cool down. However, we urge residents not to swim in the Berg River due to its unpredictable depth and flow, especially after storms.
• To keep a watchful eye, law enforcement agencies will regularly patrol the Berg River area (on foot and in vehicles) to swiftly address any bylaw violations.
• A mobile security booth will be stationed near the footbridge at the Berg River, manned daily by an official with a radio and incident log.
• Drone patrols will provide aerial support, and officers will use bicycles to patrol the Paarl Arboretum and surrounding areas.
Safety at municipal swimming pools and resorts
• Trained lifeguards will be on duty at all public swimming pools during opening hours, and visitors are urged to follow their instructions in the interest of safety.
• While all pools are safety-fenced, children should never be left unsupervised.
• Behaviour such as alcohol consumption, indecency, or vulgar language will not be tolerated.
Fire safety
• The dry summer season poses an increased risk for both structure fires (when a building is involved in a fire) and veld/bush fires (taking place outside urban areas). The Municipality has a comprehensive response structure in place for both structure and veld fires.
• Drakenstein Municipality’s Fire and Rescue Services is operational 24/7 and responds to calls according to a predetermined response protocol; additional resources are called in from nearby stations as and when required. Service level agreements are in place for support by the Cape Winelands District Municipality and Drakenstein Farmwatch, allowing for additional resources to be made available to deal with threatening fires.
• Firebreaks in the Paarl Mountain Reserve are in place and regularly maintained. Fire hydrants and water-points throughout the area are also regularly maintained and mapped for ease of location reference.
• Important fire prevention tips will be shared regularly during December 2023 and January 2024 via the Municipality’s official Facebook page and website.
Law enforcement
• As an integral component of Drakenstein’s Safer Festive Season Readiness campaign, law enforcement will be executed through a strategic and collaborative approach.
• The focus will be on an integrated and swift response to instances of criminal activity, violations of municipal bylaws, and other safety concerns. The Drakenstein Central Operational Centre in Paarl will serve as the base for these efforts.
Tourism and visitor safety
• Drakenstein Municipality has identified a comprehensive list of hotspots for tourism-related crimes, such as the Paarl Nature Reserve, Paarl Arboretum, Joubert and Victoria Parks in Wellington, and Main Road in Paarl, among others. These areas will be patrolled to ensure tourist and visitor safety.
• The National Department of Tourism has allocated dedicated tourism monitors, trained in safety and security, to the Western Cape, of which 10 will be allocated to Drakenstein Municipality to be deployed at various hotspots.
• The Western Cape Department of Economic Development and Tourism maintains a dedicated 24/7 Tourism Safety Support hotline (082 554 2010) to assist tourists in distress.
Land invasion
Illegal occupation of land, whether municipal property or privately owned, will not be tolerated. Illegally erected structures will be removed.
Emergency contact numbers
• To report a crime, contact your nearest police station or 10111. Alternatively, Crime Stop can be contacted on 08600 10111 or 112 from any mobile telephone.
• To report a municipal bylaw contravention, contact Drakenstein Municipality’s Law Enforcement division at 021 807 8508 (all hours).
• To report a fire, call Drakenstein Municipality’s Fire and Rescue Services on 021 872 2323 (all hours).
• In case of distress, tourists can contact the Drakenstein Municipality Control Room at 021 807 8501 (all hours), which will activate patrolling law enforcement officials, emergency services, and the SAPS.
[ENDS]
Issued by: Communication and Marketing, Drakenstein Municipality
