Cape Town is adopting New York’s zero tolerance approach to crime in a bid to make the city a safer place for tourists.
The city hopes that by tackling petty street crime, car break-ins and enforcing restrictions on street traders, it will reduce the high crime rate that the city is renowned for.
New York, which once had the same reputation, has significantly improved safety following the zero tolerance initiative taken by its mayor Rudi Giuliani.
Cape Town’s campaign against crime has started with the installation of 84 close-circuit television cameras in the central business district. Latest figures from the private sector organisation, Business Against Crime, show the number of incidents has already fallen by 80% in the CCTV areas.
In addition, the city council is taking action against unofficial parking attendants who exploit money out of motorists by offering to protect their cars.
Michael Farr, chief executive officer of The Cape Town Partnership, a private/public body said: “This is an irritation and one which stops people coming into the city centre.”
Street traders have been given designated areas to set up their stalls in order to clear up the shopping areas. Major retailers are being encouraged to extend trading hours so visitors feel safer coming into the city centre in the evenings.
Many of these improvements were planned as part of Cape Town’s bid for the 2004 Olympics. Although the bid failed, it attracted much needed investment in the city’s infrastructure. Its international and domestic airport terminals are both being renovated, and are due to open by the end of the year. This is expected to attract additional air capacity into Cape Town. Virgin, for example, which is currently operating twice weekly non-stop flights from London Heathrow, wants to operate a daily flight.