Cape Town plans to make Long Street safer
Cape Town plans to make Long Street safer
Although considered the city’s crime hotbed, Long Street accounts for only 4 percent of drug-related busts in the central business district.
Much of the crime occurs elsewhere – on the Grand Parade, the station deck and even in the East Precinct, says JP Smith, the mayoral committee member for safety and security.
The City of Cape Town would work with other law-enforcement agencies, the Central City Improvement District, businesses and property owners to clamp down on illegal activities, he said.
This multipronged approach would include 24-hour patrols, amendments to the city’s Streets, Public Places and Prevention of Noise Nuisances Bylaw to make it easier to deal with drug sales, the use of registered parking marshals at night, and the installation of additional CCTV cameras.
Speaking after a meeting held to discuss the way forward for Long Street, Smith said it was agreed that crime strategies could not be limited to one area.
However, given that the festive and tourist seasons were looming and that Long Street was one of the city’s iconic attractions, several measures would be introduced to ensure visitors’ safety there.
The much-touted pedestrianisation of a section of Long Street was likely to be piloted in the next few months, said Smith.
With fewer cars in the street, it would be easier for law enforcement to patrol the area. However, closing off the street would also encourage patrons to drink on the pavements and in the road, creating an opportunity for pickpockets. The city would also have to keep a close watch on excessive drinking.
‘While we want it to be a fun space, the challenge will be that it will create an incentive to drink in public.’
The city would ensure there was additional lighting during these road closures. To eliminate the shadows cast by awnings, businesses would be encouraged to leave their lights on at night. In the longer term, street lights could be placed where needed.
‘Mugging and pickpocketing have increased slightly, but off a lower base compared with previous years. But we need to nip this in the bud, especially seeing that many of the perpetrators are repeat offenders.’
Smith said much of the ‘narcotics’ offered in this popular street was actually rolled up balls of paper or headache powder passed off as drugs by swindlers. He said the arrest of suspects was hampered by the reluctance of victims to press charges.
The city is also to clamp down on unlicensed metered taxis operating in the CBD and particularly in Long Street. There are plans to create a rank in Bloem Street for permit holders. Changes to the by-law would allow the city to introduce registered parking marshals in certain areas at night. Smith said CCTV footage showed many car guards were involved in illegal activities.
Source: iol.co.za