SEA POINT COMMUNITY POLICE FORUM (CPF) 2021 REPORT

 Introduction

The last report of the Sea Point CPF was published in September 2019 to coincide with the AGM of that year.  That marked the end of a five-year period after which new EXCO members were elected by members of the CPF.  That duly happened and the following were elected to serve – Heather Tager (Chair), David Gordon (Vice Chair), Derek Salter (Secretary), Simon Dippenaar (Treasurer), Karin Maister, Charlene van der Berg and Jarred Marcus.

Coronavirus Pandemic

At that time no one could have foreseen what was to befall us, and the rest of the world, in early 2020.  The Coronavirus pandemic has dominated our lives and, sadly taken many, since then.  South Africa felt the initial impact in March 2020 and entered a full lock down for five weeks.  Since then the situation has eased with varying degrees of lock down.  While we might have hoped to be in the final laps before some resemblance to normal, the recent new variant means we have to continue to be vigilant and there are likely to be further set backs on the way.

I would like to pay tribute to those involved in crime prevention activity throughout this period who have worked to care for us all and our security.  It has been difficult for many and we all know of colleagues in the security services who had been infected by this deadly virus and some who have not survived.  I tender my condolences to their families, friends and colleagues.

The various lock downs have placed additional pressures on service providers from organisations such as SAPS, Law Enforcement, and private security companies.  The terms of the Disaster Management Act have resulted in new provisions such as mandatory curfew hours, mandatory mask wearing and social distancing, as well as restrictions on gatherings and meetings.

These restrictions have invariably had an impact on how the CPF could operate during this period as well as crime prevention and management and the social and economic upheavals from the implications of lock downs and general disruption to most people’s daily lives.

It is our hope that the growing vaccine levels will enable the world – including South Africa – to return to some semblance of normality in the months ahead although we may well have to live with COVID for a long time to come but in a less disruptive way than in recent months.

CPF Meetings

It hasn’t been possible yet to restart the full CPF meetings.  With around 30 attendees the Board Room at the Sea Point Station is insufficiently large enough to allow these to happen without breaking the various social distancing rules and size of gatherings which have been permitted during the management of the pandemic.  SAPS has also been instructed to minimise the number of gatherings.  However, the Sea Point CPF EXCO restarted meetings in the spring of 2020 and have been holding such on a monthly basis.  This enables the EXCO team to raise issues with the Sea Point SAPS management as well as discuss other concerns which affect the community.

The CPF website was reformatted during this time and provides residents with pertinent information as well as updates in the news section – the link is www.seapointcpf.com.  Many thanks to Simon Dippenaar for supporting the upgrades.

Other social media platforms have also been used such as the Facebook pages of the Sea Point City Improvement District (SPCID) and community managed sites such as the Atlantic Seaboard Crime Watch and those run by the two Neighbourhood Watches operating in the precinct.

Crime Statistics

National SAPS provides official statistics – those relating to reported crimes – every quarter.  Details are always available on the SAPS website https://www.saps.gov.za/services/crimestats.php.  Comments in relation to those for the Sea Point precinct are also added to the CPF’s website.

Crime statistics only reflect reported crimes. While this may seem like a ‘stuck record’ it is vital for residents to report crimes and open a case should they be a victim of crime.  Residents in this area are often reluctant to do so and tend to prefer to go to social media to make their views known and report incidents – not always accurately.  I do implore residents to alert the authorities first – that is the best way to get support and resolution – although I know the process, especially going through the courts, may be a tortuous one and they do not always provide the results the victim might feel is fair.

BUT without crimes being reported then the authorities – especially SAPS – do not have a clear indication of where and what is happening in the precinct and how best to utilise their resources to provide the most effective crime prevention and detection.

The various levels of lock down – especially the first five weeks of level 5 – in March/April 2020 resulted in a significant drop in crime levels due to the level of activity within the area – non-essential business were shut, people confined to home for long periods and only officially permitted to leave for vital activity.  This means that comparisons year-on-year are difficult to make meaningfully.  Overall though, reported crime levels in the precinct remain low especially when compared with the last ‘normal’ year of 2019.  Theft out of Motor vehicles (TOOMV) remain the largest category but reported cases here are well down in 2021 when compared with 2019; house break ins remain low and have fallen; and contact crimes – such as assaults – tend to be between known assailants and again are comparatively low.

Reports from some suggesting that crime levels are at their highest in the precinct for decades, that we live in times when it is unsafe to go outside are just not borne out in reported statistics.  Sure there are some issues especially in regards to anti-social behaviour – which I will refer to later – but crime levels, given the size of the population in the area, are extremely low.  We really can do without the inaccurate doomsayers themselves casting a blight on our community.

SAPS

SAPS is the primary body responsible for crime management.  I wish to thank the Station Commander – Col Mouton – and her team for the way they engage with the CPF and for their support to the community in the various work they do.  There will be times when we feel they can and, should, do more and the CPF EXCO takes them to task for that.  We also appreciate the constraints they operate within and the difficult circumstances they have had to face in the past eighteen months in particular.

You will have seen the condition of the Sea Point SAPS building – should you have had the need to visit – and how that has deteriorated even further.  Masonry has fallen down and parts are now deemed unsafe for use.  It is totally unacceptable that this has been allowed to happen.  For longer than I can remember requests have been made for the station to receive the proper upgrades and maintenance it needs.  Promises have been made and they remain unfulfilled.  It cannot be allowed to continue and the CPF will press for the necessary work to be done.

The patrolling of the precinct has, at times, been a problem due to the on-going lack of serviceable vehicles at the station despite efforts to remedy the situation.  This isn’t just an issue within Sea Point but across the metropole as a whole.  It is a total disgrace and must be rectified as a priority. While walking patrols in some parts have substituted for the lack of vehicles – these are most welcome – being unable to get to crime sites or be properly visible in a dedicated vehicle is failing us as residents.

Meetings with residents could not take place during the pandemic.  While virtual meetings were held for some months, SAPS were legally forbidden to participate.  This meant their effectiveness was limited and the numbers of residents participating very low.  It was determined to suspend these until face-to-face meetings with residents and SAPS officials could happen.

Staffing levels – particularly in regards to the Detective section – remain well below par.  This is unsustainable – leads to poor morale which has resulted in the resignations of some of the Station’s most committed detectives – and does not assist with the proper follow-up of incidents meaning justice doesn’t prevail.  We welcome the appointment of Col Verster as the new Head of Detectives who is making some headway to address these issues.

I have also to mention the sad loss to SAPS of Col Kinnear in September 2020.  He was brutally assassinated for his work in bringing criminals to task.  He was the head of Detectives at Sea Point for some time and remained on their books despite being transferred to the Anti-Gang Unit.  It is a personal and professional tragedy that his life should be terminated in this way.  My condolences to family, friends and colleagues.

Social Issues

Homelessness and the impact on our community features regularly.  This isn’t just an issue we face here on the Atlantic Seaboard but across the country and further afield.  The economic impact of the pandemic has made it difficult for many with job losses and an increase in poverty here and elsewhere.  The Disaster Management Act and injunctions against the City of Cape Town makes it nigh impossible for the authorities to act in preventing the growth of informal settlements on our streets.  There are numerous across our precinct – the most visible being ‘tent city’ across from SAPS as well as others in various streets which impact on residents and businesses alike.  There has to be a concerted effort from all levels of Government to address the issue to provide better for those who have fallen on hard times and make sure law-abiding residents are not affected by anti-social behaviour from those setting up camp where ever they wish to.  It isn’t sustainable and cannot be allowed to continue.  A hard-handed approach from the law enforcement agencies isn’t the solution although we know that many hide behind being homeless to carry out criminal activities and those need to face the consequences of their behaviour.

Many on the streets have suffered from broken homes, poor education, illegal substance abuse and more which needs to be addressed.  The number of people working to assist is now more than ever in the area.  Teams from the City, the Province as well as the various Ratepayers’ Associations are working together to help those in need with many good news stories.  It is hard work and persistence pays off.

The CPF had for many years employed a field worker but that provision was changed to focus on the SPCID area after that organisation made provision in its budgets.  A new field worker has been in place now for just over a year focusing on the SPCID commercial area of Regent and Main Roads in Sea Point and this appointment has been very beneficial – the regular reports provided by the SPCID bear out these successes.

Economic Situation

The impact of the pandemic has been felt by many.  Businesses in the area have closed and people have lost their jobs.  The hospitality industry, which is very important right along the Atlantic Seaboard, has been particularly hit and we trust that now the tough constraints in regards to international travel have been reduced this will assist in returning visitors during the upcoming summer season.  Despite these setbacks, business activity has now resumed considerably with businesses coming into the area and significant new development taking place which bodes well for the future.  New business have opened up and at the time of writing the main commercial strip in Sea Point had only two vacant shops.

Traffic

Traffic issues, such as poor driving especially from Taxi operators, speeding and drag racing, as well as cycling on the pavements are regular issues.  The dedicated support from a Ward 54 traffic cop was beneficial but after his promotion we were without a replacement until August 2021.  Regular operations take place for all of these concerns and we thank the relevant teams – especially the Transport Enforcement Unit – as well as our two local Councillors for assisting in these matters.  Sadly traffic officials cannot be everywhere all of the time and have other areas in the City to manage – sometimes with more serious matters – so many misdemeanours go unchallenged.

Cycling on pavements is a regular gripe and isn’t legal whatever some cyclists might have you believe. As to the Promenade, sharing the space with walkers, joggers and cyclists has been permitted and is out for review.  We all need to tolerate each other, look out for each other and share this special facility with respect for each other.  We await the outcome of the review and hope it is based on these precepts and that we can all enjoy this wonderful shared space.

Liquor licences

The CPF believes it is important to engage with all applicants so as to ensure they are aware of their responsibilities and to have dialogue especially if issues crop up in future.  Most applicants are accepted but on occasion the CPF feels the need to object as happened recently in the request for a Grocer’s licence to sell wine at the Pick and Pay Express franchise at the BP garage in Regent Road.  Drinking and driving just don’t go together and this site has been known to have other issues especially when people gather after days out in summer – the availability of alcohol may indeed exacerbate those problems.  Other organisations were expecting to object including local schools, the local ratepayers and numerous individual residents.

Partners

City Improvement Districts (CID)

SPCID – this provides vital top-up services along Main and Regent Road.  Teams of patrollers are available 24/7.  Recently some changes were made with some new personnel and a dedicated vehicle supplied from Avenue Response during working hours.  The CID also manages the LPR/overview camera network across the precinct.  Hardly a day goes by without it showing its worth in tracking down criminal activity and assisting in crime prevention and detection.

A total of 89 cameras – comprising Licence Plate Recognition (LPR) and overview cameras -now operate within the precinct.  Three were added in 2021 from the Ward Councillor’s budget for which we are most grateful.

The CID also provides a cleansing service to the main thoroughfare of Sea Point with thousands of bags of rubbish collected every year, and service needs relayed to the City for attention.

Law Enforcement and Metro Police

Both entities assist in crime prevention in the area.  I would like to thank Law Enforcement in their work in regards to by-law infringements in the area and in particular their assistance with anti-social behaviour and the clean-up of informal settlements on our streets.  They make a huge difference which is much appreciated.

Neighbourhood Watches

Two have been established in the precinct.  The Green Point Neighbourhood Watch has been going for well over a decade and the Atlantic Seaboard Community Watch was set up last year.  The operations of both have been severely limited during the pandemic and it is hoped that they will resume enthusiastically once they can.  There is nothing better than the support of residents in assisting the official law enforcement agencies not least in being the ‘eyes and ears’ of their street given that official patrollers cannot be everywhere all of the time.

Private Security Companies

These provide additional crime fighting services for their clients.  They make a huge impact in the area as additional support and their contribution as patrolling services or electronic monitoring teams are most valuable. Many are part of a coordinated crime prevention set-up to assist in crime prevention and detection.

Conclusion

I wish to thank my colleagues on the EXCO for their assistance during these trying times.  I must pay tribute to all in the various law enforcement agencies for their work during the pandemic despite the difficulties some have indeed faced and the loss of colleagues from the virus.  While we would like to believe that the worst is behind us, recent events show that there will be setbacks along the way.  But we continue to hope that it will not be too long before we are all able to meet again and share what we can do together for the benefit of this community – residents, businesses and visitors alike.

Heather Tager

Chair Sea Point CPF

December 2021

Comments from the Sea Point CPF follows:

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