Enforcement will be intensified over festive season

POLICE on the South Coast are ready and committed to ensure that visitors to the area, as well as the locals, enjoy a safe and peaceful festive period.

The South African Police Services on the South Coast will mainly concentrate on police visibility and have identified specific days where it will target beaches and shopping malls.

A team has been tasked to patrol the freeway on a daily basis to render assistance to stranded motorists. The SAPS will be conducting duties hand in hand with the Road Traffic Inspectorate (RTI), Protection Services and the department of Community Safety and Liaison. Roadblocks and special operations can be expected to search for illegal substances and unlicenced firearms as well as wanted persons.

“This season is also known as the ‘drowning season’ due to the number of victims of drowning during the warm, summer days,” said police spokesman Lieutenant-Colonel Zandra Wiid.

Parents are urged to take responsibility for the safety of their children. Children should not be left unattended on the beach, near swimming pools, dams and rivers. People should under no circumstances attempt to cross rivers which are in flood.

“The public is warned not to take valuables such as jewellery and large amounts of cash to the beach or leave it in motor vehicles. When making substantial withdrawals of money, always ensure that no one is following you. Do not walk alone at night and avoid deserted places. Safety begins at home and we are counting on the community to play its part to ensure a safe and incident free festive season,” said Lt-Col Wiid.

Lifeguards urge recreational boaters, paddlers, bathers, fishermen, and anglers to exercise safety and caution around coastal waters, inland waters and swimming pools at all times. Bathers at beaches should try to swim only when and where lifeguards are on duty and swim within the safe demarcated swimming zones posted by lifeguards at the beach using their red and yellow flags.