THE introduction of Metro Police peace officers in the Overport, Musgrave and Glenwood areas is aimed at reducing bylaw contraventions and parking offences and to improve visible policing in the suburbs.
According to former ward 31 councillor, Chris Pappas, the officers who have been assigned to these areas are some of the City’s 250 new recruits who were taken on last year to fill vacancies. The officers have undergone training to deal with bylaw contraventions and parking offences and can be seen on foot patrol, creating a more visible police presence.
Peace officers have been assigned to the areas around Moses Kotane (Sparks) Road, Felix Dlamini (Brickhill) Road, the area around the Atrium Shopping Centre, Musgrave Centre, Florida Road and the Umbilo Satellite Station in Helen Joseph (Davenport) Road. “These peace officers are doing good work in the area,” said Pappas.
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According to their commander, Insp Joshua Chetty, the project in the suburbs area started three weeks ago as part of a three year plan to recruit 600 new Metro officers.
“So far the peace officers have dealt with parking offences, bylaw contraventions, illegal carguards and car washes and are the eyes and ears on the ground through visible policing. There has been an increase in crime in these areas including theft of and out of motor vehicles and they are in contact with other officers via radio, so if they see an incident, they can radio through for backup from a vehicle,” he said.
Chetty said the officers had completed one course and still had to go for their constable training.
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