2009-10-09: Inner City (Region F) launches major crime prevention and by-law enforcement operation
JOHANNESBURG'S Inner City is a major economic generator in South Africa providing approximately 12% of national employment. With over 1 million people living, working and playing in the Inner City – the heart and soul of the city remains a priority for the Executive Mayor Clr Amos Masondo.
The Inner City Regeneration Charter was formally adopted by a wide range of representatives and the City on the 9 November 2007. The Charter includes specific outcomes and commitments on Urban Management, Safety and Security including continuous integrated block by block operations by multi-disciplinary teams of by-law enforcement and service delivery specialists.
To date numerous blitzes have taken place in all four quadrants of the Inner City, as well as in the peripheral areas (Rosettenville , Turffontein). These have focused on major by-law infringements, building control, safety and security, illegal liquor outlets, illegal street trading and health and safety infringements.
Starting this Friday (9 October 2009) Region F Multi Disciplinary Task Team lead by SAPS, will be undertaking the longest and largest Crime Prevention operation yet. The operations will be taking place throughout the Inner City and surrounding areas and will involve:
Targeted Crimes : trio crimes, property crimes, contact crimes, by-law infringements, vehicle theft, trading in stolen / counterfeit goods, building hi-jacking, houses used for prostitution, illegal structures, bad buildings;
Additional Activities : demolition of illegal structures, closure of bad buildings, arrest of people with summons, closure of facilities used for prostitution, arrest of undocumented people, addressing of service breakdowns by MOE's (Pikitup, City Power, Joburg Water, City Parks and JRA), air to ground operations including landing on targeted high rise buildings and shopping malls, raids on 100's most wanted criminals per cluster (Hillbrow and JHB Central clusters) and static road-blocks.
The operations will also focus on Service Delivery Breakdowns, that need to be addressed by Johannesburg Water and City Power.
The multidisciplinary Crime Prevention operation involves a wide range of stakeholders including:
Region F Urban Management
City Power
Eskom
JHB Water
Environmental Health
Town Planning
EMS
By- Laws
SAPS
Hillbrow
Yeoville
Jeppe
Cleveland
Booysens
Jhb Central
Home Affairs
The Gauteng Liquor Board
JMPD – Traffic Management and by law enforcement
"The support of all our Stakeholders is vital to the success of this operation, and we believe that education and awareness of all communities around the Cities by-laws and crime prevention will play a major role in ensuring the long term sustainability of the Inner City leading up to 2010 and beyond" said Shaun O'Shea, Manager Stakeholder Management.
"The purpose of the operation is to enhance law enforcement in the Inner City and surrounding crime "hot-spots" thus meticulously addressing prevailing lawlessness in certain parts of the Inner City and to bring a sense of safety and comfort to the many users of the Inner City space."
Nkosinathi Mthethwa Regional Director Region F said in a statement at the start of the ongoing operations.
For more information please contact:
Shaun O'Shea
Manager: Stakeholder Management & Liaison
City of Johannesburg: Region 8
Telephone: 011 376-8530
Fax: 011 011 376-8588
