Statistics from a payday weekend have once again seen an increase in problematic behaviours and public safety issues – including assaults, motor vehicle crashes and drunk driving arrests.
The City’s Public Emergency Communication logged 1 631 incidents over the weekend.
There were 130 incidents of assault, compared to 84 the previous weekend; 49 motor vehicle crashes (34 the previous weekend) and 23 pedestrian accidents, compared to seven the previous weekend.
JP Smith, the City’s Mayco Member for Safety and Security, said the payday weekend phenomenon is not new.
“It is any person’s right to let their hair down after a long week or month of work.
“The concern is that, in too many instances, that enjoyment results in poor choices that end up getting an individual hurt, or them hurting someone else.
“For years we have highlighted the link between alcohol and public safety, as well as the consequences, so it really is disappointing to see the continued spike in public safety incidents whenever these payday weekends roll around.
“I cannot understand how so many of our road users continue to think that this type of behaviour is okay. It is not.
“Your actions could put someone in the hospital, or worse, the morgue, and put you behind bars for a very long time,” said Smith.
From June 20 – 26, the City’s Traffic Service made 51 arrests for driving under the influence of alcohol and 16 for reckless and negligent driving.
Officers also impounded 174 public transport vehicles and executed 1 294 warrants of arrest for outstanding fines and summonses.
A total of 36 356 speeding offences were recorded and 28 939 fines were issued for various traffic violations.
Metro Police officers arrested seven motorists for driving under the influence, out of a total of 161 arrests for the week. They also issued 2 951 fines for traffic and bylaw transgressions.
On Sunday, metro police alerted the CCTV control room that they were assisting SAPS in the search for a vehicle that was stolen during a house robbery.
According to tracking data, the vehicle was stationary in Hanover Park, but then started moving towards Bonteheuwel.
Officers found the vehicle abandoned in the area, and their CCTV colleagues were then able to detect that two suspects exited the vehicle and were about to board a minibus taxi.
Officers arrested the duo and detained them at Bishop Lavis SAPS for further investigation.
Meanwhile, law enforcement officers made 80 arrests in the past week, and issued 3 333 notices.