The City of Cape Town’s public emergency communication centre has recorded a slight a increase in call volumes following a dramatic decrease during the various stages of lockdown in the past two years.
Prior to 2020, the centre used to record an average of 235 000 to 240 000 calls per annum, a figure that dropped to just over 185 000 in the 2020/2021 financial year. The decreases were seen in the number of calls received for medical assistance, assault cases, motor vehicle and pedestrian accidents.
The City’s Mayco member for Safety and Security, JP Smith, attributed this drop to curfews, ban on alcohol sales and social activities during the peak of the pandemic.
However, with close to 190 000 cases recorded for the current financial year, and most being related to trauma cases such as assault, child abuse and domestic violence, Smith said it showed that nothing had changed.
“'Attributing the drop in calls to greater accountability and tolerance would have been much preferred. We continue working to ensure that this critical arm of our safety and security basket of services lends a hand to people when they need it most.”
The centre has seen some decreases in some call types, including prank calls that went down from 8 350 in the 2020/2021 period, to 7 291 in the current period.
The call centre also recorded a decrease in noise complaints and pedestrian vehicle accidents.
The public is reminded to save the centre’s number, 021 480 7700, on their cellphones and to use 107 if calling from a landline.
The centre recently marked its 22nd year of existence and is tasked with recording all incidents, dispatching appropriate resources and monitoring those resources.