KNYSNA NEWS - Provincial police commissioner Lieutenant-General Thembisile Patekile launched the police's Safer Festive Season crime-combating campaign for the Garden Route and Central Karoo District this week, saying "police look forward to work in conjunction with all stakeholders and local municipalities to ensure that the public and visitors are safe".
Municipal officials attended the official launch of the campaign in Mossel Bay on Wednesday 23 October, and in Beaufort West on Thursday 24 October.
Southern Cape police spokesperson Chris Spies said in a statement that during the launch in both towns "the readiness of police and strategic partners to safeguard communities during the festive period" was assessed.
'Already under way'
"Safer Festive Season crime-combating operations, which are already under way, include the monitoring and policing of the main entrance and exit routes to the region, in an attempt to eradicate the flow of illegal goods and drugs into the province," Spies said.
Also occurring were "high-density patrols and enhanced visibility through roadblocks and vehicle check points as well as compliance inspections at scrapyards, second-hand dealers and dealerships".
'Holistic approach'
"It (campaign) includes an holistic approach to clamp down on the illegal drug trade, trading and trafficking of stolen goods (and) the proliferation of unlicensed and illicit firearms and counterfeit goods," Spies said.
Also being targeted was the illegal trade in non-ferrous metals (for example, copper) and protected flora and fauna, including rhino and abalone poaching.
"A special focus is placed on the protection of the most vulnerable in society, and to curb incidents of gender-based violence and femicide," he said.
Joining municipal staff at the official launch in the Garden Route and Central Karoo District were "Western Cape provincial traffic officials, local traffic officials and law enforcement, emergency medical services, SANParks, the Government Communication and Information System, Department of Correctional Services, the National Prosecuting Authority, community police forums, Community in Blue volunteers, farm watch and neighbourhood watch volunteers, councillors, Spiritual Crime Prevention Desk, Youth Desk, Senior Citizen desks, private security companies and members of the community".
'Full implementation'
Lieutenant-General Patekile reaffirmed the commitment of police to work with stakeholders "to ensure the full implementation of the Safer Festive Season" campaign.
"We are also focusing on the protection of women, children, elderly and persons with special needs," Patekile said.
"We have deployed additional investigators to ensure that those who damage essential infrastructure, and extortionists, are brought to book. I urge the public to report any criminal activities to the police and to adhere to the instructions of law-enforcement officials.”
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