The City of Cape Town has launched a tourism awareness campaign in an effort to keep hiking hotspots and other outdoor areas safe for all those who make use of them.
The initiative was launched after the a negative light was shone on the Mother City following a recent spate of hiker crime incidents, including the brutal murder of Ukrainian hiker Ivan Ivanov. It will mean security cameras will be placed along known crime hotspot routes, and drones may also be introduced for better monitoring.
As reported by EWN, City Mayco member for Safety and Security JP Smith said that it is often complicated to police one of the city’s most recognisable landmarks, which is the Table Mountain National Park.
“I think that as you can see that’s a very difficult thing to do. You’ve got an infinite number of access points, and the people you’re looking for easily blend with other hikers. It’s very hard to profile the person unless they look slightly out of place,” Smith said.
The City is also looking into deploying trained law enforcement officers to patrol the Park to ensure hikers are safe and minimise safety issues.
This week SANParks Table Mountain rangers along with the K9 unit, the South African Police Services and Neighbourhood Watch groups also took to Table Mountain to conduct a joint crime prevention patrol.
As the concerns mount regarding safety in the Table Mountain Nature Reserve more and more people are joining the fight to ensure that Capetonians and foreigners can safely enjoy the Mother City’s natural landscapes without having to fear for their lives.
Picture: The City of Cape Town/Facebook