PLETTENBERG BAY NEWS - Ready, set... festive season! Those responsible for keeping Bitou residents and holidaymakers safe during the upcoming holidays are fully prepared.
Bitou conducted its annual chief's inspection on Friday 11 November at the Ladywood Drivers' Testing Centre to ensure the preparedness of Bitou's public safety unit.
The inspection takes place every year and goes along with a detailed festive season safety plan which includes bolstering efforts by all local authorities.
The teams include the local fire depart-ment, traffic and law enforcement units. Other local safety role players, including the Plettenberg Bay Crime Prevention Association (PBCPA) and police, also pledged their support.
Each department's festive season plans were put in place during a recent council meeting.
During season, Bitou experiences extensive traffic congestion, a high accident rate and general lawlessness, especially in terms of theft, drinking in public, driving under the influence of alcohol, excessive speeding and overloading of vehicles.
The Bitou traffic section therefore plans to, among others, conduct more patrols and increase visibility.
The fire department and disaster management unit also has a festive plan which includes focus on prevention. The law enforcement section is responsible for law enforcement, and monitoring and managing security service providers, protecting municipal property, crime prevention and the protection of beaches, as well as monitoring security surveillance cameras.
PHOTO GALLERY: Law enforcement ready for festive season
This section's festive plan includes ensuring a safe environment for residents and visitors over the holiday period. The plans include taking a proactive approach through crime prevention operations, enforce Bitou by-laws, assist with police crime prevention plans and implement a safety plan that includes internal and external role players.
Bitou Mayor Dave Swart praised the public safety team for their teamwork, which he described as the holiday town's "hallmark".
During the inspection and parade, several officers also received honours for outstanding performance and courses completed as part of their personal development.
Among the attendees was the Plettenberg Bay Ratepayers Association chair, Peter Gaylard, who complimented Bitou's public safety unit and partners for their efforts to combat crime.
The event ended with a motorcade that saw emergency vehicles drive through some communities to show residents that they are ready for the festive season.
A crowd even came out to attend the special event.
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