Data-Driven Crime-Fighting: A Case Study of the City of Cape Town, South Africa

Abstract

This article analyses the data-driven crime-fighting strategy implemented by the City of Cape Town and the Western Cape Government, focusing on the Law Enforcement Advancement Plan and the Emergency Policing and Incident Command system. Although these initiatives, backed by significant investment in surveillance technologies (CCTV, drones, ShotSpotter, body/dash cams), have demonstrably increased crime detection and arrests, there is limited evidence of a corresponding decrease in crime trends in hotspots. This discrepancy is attributed to systemic capacity issues within the national South African Police Service and a clear lack of strategic intergovernmental cooperation, despite some operational collaboration. The analysis, based on open data and descriptive statistics, concludes that effective crime reduction necessitates clarified roles, aligned efforts and fundamental reforms across all spheres of government and the broader criminal justice system.