Tourism safety units launched in Cape Town ahead of festive season

The Western Cape Government (WCG) launched their own Tourism Safety Unit with Chrysalis graduates as the City of Cape Town (CoCT) announced the expansion of their Tourism Safety Unit, yesterday.

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The separate units will be focused on ensuring that residents and visitors receive important safety information about tourist attractions and services available. 

They will also coordinate the optimal emergency deployment of resources and technology in tourism hotspot areas frequented by both local and international tourists.

The Western Cape Government’s unit will consist of 26 Chrysalis graduates, while the City of Cape Town’s Tourism Safety Unit will now have 28 law enforcement officers.

The Western Cape Government’s Chrysalis graduates and the City’s unit of dedicated law enforcement officers will help curb fraudsters at ATMs through strategic deployment.

Visible foot patrols will be conducted at the Table Mountain Cableway, Lion’s Head hiking trails, car parks and other high-traffic tourism hotspots within the CBD to curb opportunistic pickpockets and petty criminals.

“The City’s Tourism Safety Unit is expanding as an integrated safety initiative aimed at ensuring our residents, local visitors and international tourists can enjoy the many wonderful sights and attractions in Cape Town without having to worry about petty crime,” said Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis.

“Visible policing is the most effective crime prevention activity, and the members of this unit will join the thousands of additional law enforcement officers we have deployed across the whole of Cape Town this year.”

“We are expecting a bumper tourism season and we are doing everything we can to make sure that thousands of locals and international guests can safely enjoy the summer season in our beautiful City.”

The City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security, JP Smith, added that the City unit had already achieved a considerable amount of success, coupled with the integrated CCTV support of the newly-established Fusion Centre.

“With the additional resources set to bolster the unit, we are confident we can again boast Cape Town as one of the world’s top travel destinations,” said Smith.

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Picture: Pexels

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