Launch of  Festive Season Operational Plan
The Protection Services Directorate of Overstrand Municipality launched its operational plan for the 2012/13 holiday season with a presentation to Western Cape Community Safety Minister, Mr Dan Plato, and other role players on Monday, 26 November 2012.

Mr Neville Michaels, Director of Protection Services, said the operational plan will enhance public safety during the holiday period by ensuring that there is compliance with by-laws, traffic rules and other regulations, while simultaneously crime and grime will be prevented.

It is the second year that this plan has been rolled out and the successes last year included no taxi violence, no attacks on visitors at tourist hot spots such as Fernkloof Nature Reserve and Rotary Way in Hermanus and several major and smaller events took place without any serious incidents.

Mr Michaels emphasised that the plan can only succeed if there is a good working relationship between the Municipality and other role players such as the Police, the Provincial Traffic Department, the National Sea Rescue Institute, Marine and Coastal Management, Neighbourhood Watches, security companies, the Department of Justice and the National Prosecuting Authority.

He said his directorate’s focus areas will be to:

• Increase its visibility with patrol-ling, road blocks and interaction with the public; 
• Prevent social crime with initiatives link-ed to traffic safety, fire safety and awareness of  by-laws;
• Enforce public tran-sport legislation and
• Establish a joint operational centre (JOC) with SAPS which will facilitate the Law Enforce-ment department to co-ordinate effective responses to and managing of emergencies.

The launch of the Overstrand Municipality’s Public Protection Plan for the 2012/13 festive season was attended by (from left) Genl Maj CP Westraat, Hennie Westraat, chair of the Hermanus CPF,  Coenie Groenewald, Municipal Manager, Capt Jakobus Marthinus (Kleinmond Police), Minister Dan Plato, Col Phumzile Cetyana of the Police , Mayor Nicolette Botha-Guthrie,  Warrant Officer JP Matthee of the Hermanus Police, Brian Lobb (Fire Brigade), Don Kearney, Hermanus Area Manager, Traffic Chief Rudi Fraser, Cecile Jonkheid, Kleinmond Area Manager, Larenzo Isaacs (Traffic Department),  John Cloete , Patrick Africa (Traffic Department), Public Protection Director Neville Michaels, Joe Schoeman (Fire Brigade), Acting Fire Chief Marlu Rust, and Mayoral Committee Member Philip Appelgrein.

Possible threats identified by him included anti-social behaviour, alcohol on beaches, lost children, public violence, intimidation, assault and robbery, theft of or from motor vehicles, by-law offences, fires and illegal fire works, traffic congestions, drug related offences, drownings, illegal trading, dogs on beaches (unless it is a designated area for walking dogs) and vandalism.

Mayor Nicolette Botha-Guthrie called for community involvement in safety and crime prevention. She said ordinary citizens should be the eyes and the ears of our crime fighters. Residents can start by looking after their neighbours’ interests by walking over and meeting him or her, to exchange telephone numbers and to be aware of what is going on.

“Be on the look-out for strange occurrences in the community - the broken window, the open door that should be closed – and report it to someone who can check it out.  Be aware.  Take care of your own people and belongings – it will lighten the task of the Police Services so that they can focus on crime prevention," Cllr Botha-Guthrie said.

Mr Plato, who reminded the group of the 16 days of activism, said December holidays are the most crucial time for the men and women in blue and that a proper safety plan will go a far way to relief them from unnecessary stress. They will enjoy the comfort of knowing that all aspects have been taken care of and who will react on the different challenges.

The Minister especially acknowledged the work done by lifeguards to ensure that the safety of the thousands that will be visiting beaches are taken care of.
With regard to the 16 days of activism, Mr Plato called on all men to support the campaign against women and children abuse.  “I am always in support of the campaign and for me it is a time to focus on the family," he said.  "Respect starts at home, then goes to school, filters into the community amongst friends and if we have that kind of thinking and education, we won't have a country that is full of abused women and children. Men must support and stand up for their women and children and shower them with love and not abuse", he said.
Fanie Krige