City throws safety  rings around parks

28-11-2014

Holidaymakers who want to visit the City of Johannesburg’s open spaces during the December holidays do not have to look over their shoulder while partaking in the niceties that go with the festive season – Johannesburg City Parks & Zoo (JCPZ) has made safety at these entertainment venues a top priority.

JCPZ will, in partnership with the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD) and the South African Police Service (SAPS), conduct several blitzes and patrol operations to ensure the safety of all revellers.

More than 150 people, including JMPD officers, will be deployed to strategic areas and almost 40 vehicles made available to ensure the safety of members of the public throughout the holiday period.

“During this time, parks in the city are seen as suitable places for families and friends to relax and enjoy themselves.

“However, such social interactions occasionally result in tragedies that are a consequence of alcohol and substance abuse. Also, criminals target overcrowded parks to pick their victims,” said Matome Baholo, JCPZ’s Manager of Security & Maintenance.

Boholo said from December 10 to January 15, JCPZ would, together with its law enforcement partners, clamp down on potential incidences such as muggings, smash-and-grabs, common robbery, assault, rape, murder, dealing in drugs and possession of illegal firearms, and other unlawful activities.

“A well thought-out programme of action focusing on the core business of the City Park’s Rangers Unit and JMPD’s Parks Patrol Unit will be rolled out,” he said. 

Boholo said park wardens had over the years noticed a spike in bylaw transgressions during the festive season.

These included public drinking, urinating in public, vandalism, vagrancy, invasion of open spaces by people in quad bikes and motorbikes, hosting of illegal events, bootlegging and illegal dumping. 

He said the JCPZ’s patrol and blitz plans would largely focus on crime prevention.

These, he said, would entail stopping and searching visitors at park entrances, ensuring high visibility, conducting foot and vehicle patrols and the deployment of unmarked patrol vehicles to swoop on transgressors.