WHERE WE GOVERNGiving Nelson Mandela Bay its own metro policeThe DA brought a metropolitan police service to Nelson Mandela Bay for the first time. While the City’s Metro Police system was established in 2012, it still had only one employee – the police chief who was being paid over R1 million a year. For four years – from 2012 through 2016 – not one officer was appointed, not one vehicle was procured, and not one arrest was made. When the DA administration came to office it had initiated the force within months. The Service started off with 119 members and two satellite offices in the City’s most crime affected northern areas. We also deployed ShotSpotter technology in Helenvale, reducing the number of gun shots in this area by 90% in the first 90 days and proving pivotal in gang-activity related arrests. Safety in the City of Cape TownRail safetyThe future economic success of the Western Cape and the City of Cape Town depends heavily on a stable and sustainable rail network, and that begins with enhanced safety. So, in response to the appalling conditions rail commuters were being subjected to, the City through an intergovernmental partnership with the Western Cape Provincial Government, signed a memorandum with the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA) to jointly fund a specialised Rail Enforcement Unit (REU). The unit provides an additional 100 law enforcement officers to the existing security personnel in meeting Metrorail’s security challenges. These include sustained attacks on rail infrastructure and rolling stock assets, the sabotage of the urban rail network, and criminals targeting commuters and rail employees. In just two months, the REU had already made successful steps in ensuring the security of commuters, including: 36 arrests on a range of charges including assault, possession of drugs and stolen property, malicious damage to property, and theft; the confiscation of 379.5 metres of cable and 800kg’s of railway signal cable; the confiscation of contraband and suspected stolen goods that include 21 cell phones, two laptops, drugs, and alcohol; the issuing of 67 Section 56 notices, with the assailants to appear in court. the issuing of 97 Section 341 notices; and a total of 332 inspections of crime hotspots and scrapyards. New technologyThe City has also embraced smarter ways of crime solving through ShotSpotter technology which helps the City convict criminals. This is a cutting-edge technological service that is able to detect gunfire and identify the exact location in crime-ridden spots across the City. Cooperation between the City and SAPS has led to convictions of up to 12 months. New budget allocationIn addition to this, the City has committed an additional R165 million in funding for Safety and Security through the 2018/19 adjustment budget. This money will increase the visible police presence in crime- vulnerable communities and supplement the investment in fire stations.