CITY of Cape Town Safety and Security MMC Jean-Pierre Smith said people must desist from carrying booze to the beach.
He said people have been smuggling booze to the beaches, but law enforcement has been up to the task of dealing with such incidents.
“Alcohol on the beaches is an offence, it will be confiscated and those fined for its possession. Alcohol and water should never be mixed (unless in a glass). Hiding it or burying it in the sand also doesn’t help – drones can zoom in from kilometres away,” said Smith.
Smith said the City’s Public Emergency Communication Centre (PECC) has seen a steady rise in the detection and confiscation of alcohol in recent weeks.
Smith said this past weekend alone the PECC logged 33 incidents of drinking in public.
He said this is a violation of the City’s by-law and the booze incidents have doubled since mid-October.
“These statistics are likely to increase dramatically in the weeks ahead. We have spoken about this often enough for people to be well acquainted with the law and the dangers associated with drinking in public, as well as driving while drunk.
“I, therefore, have very little sympathy for anyone who is caught indulging in this type of behaviour. Just know that your selfish actions put your own safety at risk, and also that of those around you,” he said.
Smith said law enforcement officials have a lot on their plates and it is unfortunate that they must chase people taking booze to the beach.
“Our enforcement services have their hands full every week, dealing with so many different issues. It’s mind-boggling that we have to spend so much time policing poor choices,” said Smith.
