I love Long Street. But lately I’ve been loving it a bit less.
In case you didn’t hear, a much-beloved doorman from Beerhouse was stabbed to death on Saturday night outside the popular gastropub on Long Street and this has gotten me thinking, how can we save Long Street?
RIP Joe! Beerhouse will reopen at 4pm today with 100% of the takings on the day going to support Joe’s family http://t.co/ASRDWVLwAc
— BEERHOUSE on Long (@BEERHOUSE) June 21, 2015
Despite the fact that it’s still a major tourist attraction, I’ve seen Long Street steadily deteriorate over the past decade in terms of safety – and this isn’t the first time an event has spiralled out of control there either. Roughly 12 years ago, I started visiting the street for it’s nightlife aspect and although it wasn’t entirely safe back then, at least you could walk 20 metres without being hassled on say, the corner of Long and Pepper. Yes, the City of Cape Town will argue that there are many CCID (Central City Improvement District) employees patrolling the street at all times of the day and night, and yes, the patrols do work at times (as shown in the tweet below) but we need more.
Attempted robbery Strand St foiled. 3 suspects dressed as SAPS. Congrats CCID Security, @CityofCT Law Enforcement & @SAPoliceService.
— Cape Town CCID (@CapeTownCCID) March 16, 2015
Just recently, I heard about a story of a girl who drank beyond her limit at a club on Long Street. A couple, who are friends of mine, noticed her in a very unsober state and tried to help establish who she arrived with and how she planned on getting home that night. As they all walked out the club, a group of five men approached the couple and girl and offered them money if they could take the girl home with them, after noticing her in her state. I find this absolutely sickening and the entire situation worrying. She got home safely that night.
Nearly every other week, I hear of locals and tourists falling for the classic pickpocket technique – distraction. Common questions usually posed by pickpockets to would-be victims involves shoes like “Nice shoes, where did you get them from?” – by the time you have looked up after studying your shoes for a brief moment, your cell phone is gone.
So how we do save Long Street? How do we restore it back to a time when anybody could walk it and feel entirely safe? I understand that you will rarely find it to be entirely safe at night in any one of South Africa’s major cities, but I wholeheartedly believe that we have the power to make a difference to retain the street’s status as both a microcosm of Cape Town and global tourist attraction.
How is it that only two roads up, a different picture emerges? Bree Street is significantly safer than Long Street, at any given time of day. Do initiatives like Open Streets and First Thursdays make a difference?
Some will argue that there are areas worse off in Cape Town which need heightened security, but none of these areas are on the same level of global appeal as Long Street. There are too many great restaurants, bars and other attractions to let our street slip into the point of no return.
Let’s get the discussion going on Twitter. How can we #SaveLongStreet?
A donation page has been set up by Beerhouse for Joe’s family here.
CapeTownEtc justin_capetown It’s SUCH a dog show these days.I’ve gone from only visiting there to seldom visiting. #Locals #SaveLongStreet
Ross Heynes
Robin Burley
This is horrific. Long Street is so well known for its awesomeness. This saddens me deeply.
It is a crying shame!
R.I.P. Joe ♡
What happen?
If you love Cape Town, as so many of us do, we must find a way to zero tolerance for these criminals. Incidents like these prevent progress for all. This is a crime against the entire community.
R.I.P. Joe, so sad to hear.
Time to clean up Long str n get the riff raff OUT!
Violent examples need to be made of perpatrators. only way I am afraid. Once we are no longer ‘easy targets’ they will find a new street to reign terror. Currently, however, it is a watering hole for opportunistic criminals looking to score off some half drunk fun lovers. execute atleast 3 of the next criminals to have a go on long street and we should be good. Its Africa, fire with fire.
This is such a sad story and very worrying indeed. Long street has become so dodgy at night lately we just stay away… I hope they sort it out
Good…..get the rubbish out.
Rachel Carroll Pollard
As far as i see ! It will just move on to another street! One has to be more then one when going there and watch each others back! But i dont have hope for all the bad going on at the moment ! But i do know this it will end soon …
Linda Wu Anita Wu Colleen Petersen Tasneem Patel Justin Jacobs Kyle Kurt Jacobs
Christian Pffhsn
R.I.P Joe. I was a victim of that “nice shoes” pickpocketing trick. Some foreign national then tried it on my friend one night and swiftly met my fist.
Sudisha Rampersad
Ryan Hawke – how hectic is this? Luckily you were only a victim to pick pocketing and even got your phone back!
We save long street in the same way we save SA, by getting rid of the scum that run it.
Bronwyn Micaela Frymer just what we were talking about ! Xx
A few stings need to be set up… It works..
This guy has it spot on, long street is dodgy as, so sad!
raids and stings. They need to 1st sort out the dealers on the street.
I Love Cape Town !!!!!!!
More police visibility and some upgrading
Spot on!
x
get rid of the drug dealers, only then can Long str be saved. Foreign nationals are selling drugs under the noses of the ‘protectors’, cos someone up there (not God) is taking a cut.
Get rid of all the rubbish and disgusting eateries, that’s a start, more cop patrol,less drugs and drink!!
This country is becoming a tad embarrassing in all aspects. You can barely leave your front door these days – ridiculous get rid of these fraudsters!!!! Get people who can and will make a difference and let’s all back them up!!!
Get rid of the CCID. They allow t happen and get paid for it too. So corrupt it’s a joke! See it all the time
As the business people in long street we have problem with those guys who stand infront our shops and then pick pocketing our customers(You got nice shoes) ,We have reported to the CCID and Cops but nothing has been done.City of Cape Town should comeout away they can tackle those thugs who occupy long street.
In Jan 12.. we had just exited club 169 in Long St and as we stepped foot out the door a girl came up to a guy in our group and started shouting and swearing at him.. this was just the distraction. The girl was distracting us while her friends pickpocket. I felt my bag move and pulled my bag to check zipper was open and latch unlocked then closed and again felt it move and this time my mobile was gone. I shouted and within seconds we had about 6 security guards protecting us. I told security i think it guy standing nearest to me and he dropped my mobile. The security was great. They took us away to cars very quickly. No offence to anyone.. the next day i was told its a group from bo kaape that runs the syndicate .
Two occasions almost got robbed there luckily I got away. Too many drug dealers
Dont know
Closed it .turn it into mall and foot patrol policing
Lehan van Heerden
As a business owner on Long Street I am very sad to hear of the passing of Joe. Unfortunately there is zero to no police presence over the weekends when the majority of incidents occur. The CCID team does little to nothing to protect the majority of law abiding citizens that frequent Long Street and I have witnessed myself these guards in cahoots with drug dealers, pickpockets and ATM scammers. One has to look at the businesses themselves as they are the draw card for many of the seedy elements that are now common place every night on the street. Bars offer ridiculously low priced drinks and are at a constant price war to offer cheaper and cheaper… This firstly draws in a unsavory crowd and secondly creates a drinking culture which is out of control leading to easy targets for pickpockets, fights and the drug and prostitution trade which is rife and common place. More needs to be done as a community is order to restore what once was a fantastic and safe party street. There is no reason why Long Street cant thrive like its neighbours Bree, Kloof and Loop.
You cannot walk 10 meters on long street without being offered 17 different types of drugs. . . Every time I go there I’m being asked if I need some powder or pills on just about each corner. If I’m honest I don’t go often as I think going out in town is a waste of time. It’s a kak hole and this is why. Can I be blamed for my negative approach to the nightlife in this area? I think not…. when going out I chose to not be harassed, robbed or have drugs thrown in my face every 5minutes. And I don’t like hipsters.
Hahah hipsters
Leyla Swart Chrystil Pearson we need to be super careful xx
Zante Neethling Dempsey Vaatjie Neethling Chané van der Merwe
Zante Neethling Dempsey Vaatjie Neethling Chané van der Merwe
Angela Gandra De Castro you do realize you tagged the most paranoid person ever. I.e Chrystil Pearson
Angela Gandra De Castro you do realize you tagged the most paranoid person ever. I.e Chrystil Pearson
Yes I do lol. Leyla Swart
Yes I do lol. Leyla Swart
Kwasi Ritchie-Roux
Kwasi Ritchie-Roux
I stayed in a Hotel very close to Long street and walked it everyday. Pushing or walking with my two year old great niece almost everyday for a month. I felt very safe everyone very friendly but I kept my niece very close to me. Three days before my return to Canada I had my Visa card stolen, while I was at a cash machine. I quickly cancelled it, because it has a pin they were not able to use it. I loved along street and always felt very safe. Although I did not walk there at night. Every city and town have places that are not safe at night. Maybe have Police patrolling around may help. Anyway I loved Cape Town beautiful place. Can’t wait to come back and see it again.
“Nice shoes” = a swift klap
Get rif of the trash on the streets..simple
Wtf Sulien Coertze Annette Jamneck Nicola Van Zyl
Soooo erg! Genade ons was nog net nou die aand by beerhouse!
Simple. Get rid of the scum
This country is going to the dogs… A fish rots from its head! #sickening
Lol u girls got jokes hey :p See my paranoia is not in vain, I just get a feeling 😉 Very tragic though, my condolences Leyla Swart Angela Gandra De Castro
Thank you for being so positive about our beautiful city.
Geesh , I laugh my head off at the mentality of the mob , lets all grab pitch forks , start burning people at the stake …. OR , Calm down alittle , realise this is ONE incident we are talking about . Long street is safer now than it has been for the last 25 years thanks to regular dedicated patroling , CCID as well as great doorman security , one of which we lost , condolences to friends and family
Get rid of the drug dealers city of cape town
Your only interest as always is to protect big business by using resources to harass street vendors as always
Prove to the public that you there for all and not just those who funds your coffers
Daan Mens
…”only one” you say…
Exactly. How easy would it be to catch dealers on Long street when you’re offered contraband every 30 seconds??
Anette , contextually , please dont nit pick the individual wording , you know very well i was orchestrating a reality to emphasise that crime in Long street is better now than it has been in the last 25 years. May i suggest a motivation for you to to confirm this by asking your local SAP for the crime stats in the CBD area ( IF its that important to you )
I’m telling you they are a nuisance and very scary and intimidating. You will have 10 very scary dude’s surrounding you trying to sell you anything you can think of watching your every move.
Julle joke! Ek hoop nie dit was daai cool bouncer nie. Noooo way! Dis vreeslik.
RIP condolence to his family
Make the police do their job
Been Robbed Several Times in Long Street. What a disgrace to our tourists to have them surrounded by Nigerian drug dealers and dodgy vagrant trash while they try and enjoy our culture. No wonder tourism is declining in Cape Town!!
Longs street can be saved by an enforcing body with competence and a little brains. Clearly not present currently
Its very sad
Lian Koch Lees die seun
Notorious drug hub. Personally know of at least two incidents where girls had to be admitted to hospital from procuring drugs in Long Street
Burn it
Nah buddy you generalising there hey scum and township not entirely true don’t be a classicist cuz you about to open up some worms. Keep it pg and don’t involve townships! !!!! #tsek
Lendl Grace Jafia Wongie
🙁
Undercover cops will get the dealers , the signals( car guards that cover the deal) beggars that do the runs..
This is an underground network that runs deep.
be careful it is that simple I have never been robbed neither approach to be robbed and I party more than 2 times a week
THEY WANNA MAKE THE CITY UNGOVERNABLE,LET THEM NOT SUCCEED BECAUSE THIS CITY IS A PLACE WHERE EVERYBODY WANTS TO BE SO F…… THEM THEM ALL WHOSE TRYING TO “damage the image of our mother city…”…man have tried and failed hopelessly…..” SO FROM HERE,WE JUST MOVE FORWARD AGAIN…
Drugs drugs drugs, what a shame.
I’m a Uber driver and I speak on behalf of other Uber’s….We avoid Long Street at all costs and if we must do a pick up we always request the rider to meet us in Loop Street. The police and traffic police is there BUT are sitting in their cars sleeping or socialising and not doing their job. Over the last 15 years that street has deteriorated into a scum.
Rip Bro
100% Jon, people are ripping this out of context
Safety officers and security guards should get rid of the people who look suspicious especially the homeless scamming people and they should do a proper searche.
Patricia De-Lille take charge get rid of the scum in Cape Town we want our country back like it was
Don’t you mean little Nigeria.
Why do we have security and police which we rate payers pay for.
CCID is there to protect Cape Town . Im one of the CCID officer we are making sure everybody is in a safe hands ” thats why the call us Public Safe”
Same thing happened to a friend a week ago. By shaking his shoes he didnt feel that his ph was taken from his pocket.
Yeah these guys are sharp man.
Until society starts rejecting drug USERS and alcohol abusers for the selfish criminals they are rather than victims, people will continue to be killed by these organizations. It’s just really sad that innocent people have to reap what drug users sow.
I work in Long Street and I am horrified to see the increase in the guys who I know offer drugs in Bloem Street too. CCID are there, but there are so many beggars/pick pockets and dealers that it’s becoming a norm for me when walking out of work at night. Sad but true. They spoke about closing off a part of Long Street and making it a pedestrian only zone for a few blocks. This may help in some way. Who knows.
A new one. Paying protection money to security companies. Security companies are the root of all evil in SA. They have to promote crime to grow. Sick. That is why the police force needs to be improved to where it was and Security companies shut down. If….. you know who did it!
Are u not to old for Facebook
Yes……stop going to the street of drink drugs sexual depravity and sin…..I have not been out there in years….as I’ve been robbed at knife point pickpocked and have had my drink spiked…..the public….that’s you created the demand for drugs and the opportunity for muggers.
Get rid of the ccid.
Love this Dyl 🙂 Definitely need to implement a security system in town, similar to the CBD in Stellenbosch, where there is security at every corner and it’s SAFE to walk on the streets without fear of mugging, pick pockets and/ or being held up. So many horror stories emerging from friends that have experienced scary incidents.
this is very sad.. another reason to avoid longstreet at all costs
Napalm comes to mind, but that’s probably wrong?
Legalize drugs and avoid the whole issue. People should have control of their own body and their own choices. Let people do what they want to themselves and use the profits to better standards of living for all citizens.
stellies is slightly smaller though… and a lot less Nigerians making it easier to keep safe. The ccid and police are often paid off to turn a blind eye
I understand it’s smaller, but even if it’s a temporary measure for just Long street, as no other part of town suffers as badly as this area due to the amount of foot traffic it receives. Otherwise more CCTV footage and/or a community watch crew, I’d happily wield a baton and bliksem some okes
The realisation that Long Street is no longer safe just like all other cities and their streets in SA should make those going there find other safer places to visit
WezleyJoaoFerreira Huh? Tourism isn’t declining in Cape Town. It’s booming, in fact.
Sasha Marie Rawstorne I love your idea of the community or neighborhood watch. Someone on Twitter also suggested the clubs and restaurants pitch in for proper security on their blocks!
that is a GREAT idea! Ultimately it’s their businesses that come under pressure with all this crime.
i find that the public security are pretty good in long street, those people that keep offering drugs to people walking down long street need to be targeted and removed. but if the restaurants and clubs in the area all had to come together and form their own security maybe that would help
The receptionist at a hotel in Stellenbosch told me that the security people on all four corners of Church and Andringa were paid for by the local businesses so that model is good. I doubt any one thing can fix it though.
I would like to see what a big sting operation could do. A couple of big one-off operations have been mounted in central CT recently I think, one a clamp down on taxi violations a few months ago and another finding illegal immigrants around the station area much more recently. It would be interesting to see what a concerted one-off sting operation over a weekend might do with undercover officers hopefully able to make lots of arrests when approached with offers of drugs. The trouble is that other dealers would probably be back to take their place very soon but maybe if repeated at random intervals it might make Long Street a more risky and hence less attractive place for the dealers to deal in.
Security needs to be seriously upgraded in Long Street.Also during daytime.It has changed over the yrs into a high risk street in Cape Town.I used to be a regular at a few of these venues for many yrs but stopped patronising just bcoz of the security risks day and night.Let’s do someth abt the security of all venues in Long street.Not just at night but daytime as well.
CCID SECURITY IS WORKING WITH THE ROBBERS IN LONG STREET,3 weeks ago i was robbed my Laptop in long street while the CCID SECURITY WERE WATCHING. Those security are accepting money from those people who are doing criminal acts in long street. Everyday people are crying in long street because those CCID are taking bribes to pretend as if they are not aware of what is happening when people are being robbed.I F THE CITY OF CAPE TOWN deploy some SECRET AGENTS TO MONITOR THESE SO CALLED CCID SECURITY THEY WILL CATCH ALL OF THEM IN LONG STREET
They are also drinking beer on duty those so called CCID SECURITY. Something has to be done in long street because the situation in terms of security is very ugly and people are selling drugs on front of the security,smoking Ganja on front of the security,and they are asking people money but they are being payed .
Get fid of the police, they entice the drug sellers and smokkel with them
And then, we have this. http://m.ewn.co.za/2015/06/23/Businesses-on-Long-Street-forced-to-pay-security-fee-against-their-will
I dont think its long street that needs saving,IT’S YOU and the rest of the people partying it up in Long Street who needs a saviour and his name is Jesus Christ son of God,You need to repent of your sins and turn away from your youthful lusts and stay away from influences like this which leads to death because the bible says : Romans 6:23- For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Choose eternal life. Repent and be baptised in the name of Jesus and recieve eternal life or you will perish in Hell. John 3:5 – Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. Repent and be baptised and you WILL BE SAVED!!!!
There is no hope for Long Street, you cant trust the people inside, or outside any bar . Lol i remember having fun here, walking freely with my wallet and phone in my hands…ah….those days….Now i have to watch for my phone, wallet, friends and my life….Sorry Cape Town, You lost long street to the devil…
The extortion side on Long Street has probably been going on for ages, so paying means you are “protected” and not paying means you will not be “protected”. So you either pay a fortune for your own security that will not be intimidated by threats, and will not be paid or bribed to do what everyone in Long Street is currently doing. I work in Long Street, and its crazy between the aggressive car guards and the Nigerians standing in Bloem street (only one of many places) selling their stuff and the constant begging on the street, it frustrates me and makes me hate where I work. It is no longer safe to do or say anything to anyone, as CCID as visible as they are, don’t get rid of the scum that has infested this once safe and vibey place to be.
George Alves
He was a member at the gym boet
It’s getting harder and harder to get into our country for illegal immigrants. If they get caught drug dealing they won’t get back in. Let’s get the trash out and creat real jobs for our country men and a great environment for our visitors. The more we catch the less they will come back.
Jessi Car Mėja Vėjas Rosa de Buisonjé Do you girls remember that day I gor robbed on my way to Pick’n’Pay?! Woow… I feel so sorry because Long st is such an amazing place!
Get rid of the nigerians and CCID. The CCID need to work harder and for the people not turn a blind eye….
Have you ever been there? Used to go there with Udo and on my own when both my parents were living in Disa Place (during my holidays frm Jhb) and absolutely loved it!
keegan_max Bringing religion into an ethical debate or a debate about how to better the streets of cape town is extremely immature and rather stupid. If you want to quote the bible consider this:
Genesis 1:29.30
And God said, “Behold, I have given you every plant yielding seed that is on the face of all the earth, and every tree with seed in its fruit. You shall have them for food. And to every beast of the earth and to every bird of the heavens and to everything that creeps on the earth, everything that has the breath of life, I have given every green plant for food.” And it was so.
Weed/Mushrooms/Cocoa are all plants! God given plants! But you are derailing a conversation about ways to make longstreet safer to a religious preach. If anyone here wanted to know about your interpretation of the Bible they would ask you or go to Church.
Religion is many things but you are embodying the worst of it. You believe God created the world, well plants and drugs are a part of it, and so are the humans who sell and use them
Not only long street need to save it the whole CBD need to save.CCID is trying their best but also we have to do our part, i saw many times people are just watching when “nice shoes” guys stealing the tourists.
What a sad state of affairs. Did the guy/s get caught!!! Sadly WAY to much SCUM in Long St.
petermarith keegan_max You are taking scripture to suit the desires for you to excuse your sins. James 4:4- Don’t you know that friendship with the world is enmity towards God. This is not religion, God hates religion and good works, its filthy rags in his eyes, only repentance of your sins and turning away from them leads to eternal life with jesus as your saviour. The bible says Psalm 7:11 God is an honest judge. He is angry with the wicked every day.
1 Corinthians 6:9-10-9 Or do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor men who have sex with men,nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.
When you high from your weed, you in a mind altering drug, a drunken state. Smoking weed is illegal for a reason my friend, and that very reason is defined in the word of God which states Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God. Therefore whoever resists authority has opposed the ordinance of God; and they who have opposed will receive condemnation upon themselves. (http://biblia.com/bible/nasb95/Romans%2013.1-2)
Christ paid the price for all of your sins it’s a free gift from God, you don’t earn it.
Hebrews 10 proclaims:
Under this new plan we have been forgiven and made clean by Christ’s dying for us once and for all.
For by that one offering he made forever perfect in the sight of God all those whom he is making holy.
Now, when sins have once been forever forgiven and forgotten, there is no need to offer more sacrifices to get rid of them (Hebrews 10:10,14,18 TLB).
To receive God’s forgiveness, simply confess your sin and accept his forgiveness by faith in Jesus name. God bless you i will keep you in prayer so God will reveal his wonderful plan for your life.