For too long, the City of Johannesburg has been held hostage by muggers, hijackers and other criminals.
But, on 14 May, the City of Johannesburg launched a new team of 80 dedicated Johannesburg Metro Police Department (JMPD) officers, focused on combating the street crimes reported on a daily basis in the inner city.
Member of the Mayoral Committee, councillor Michael Sun, was joined by the Acting Head of the Department of Public Safety, David Tembe, in Martindale, where they welcomed the new Integrated Intelligent Operation Centre (IOC) Reaction Unit.
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“The IOC will monitor the City-owned CCTV cameras 24 hours a day, with technology like licence plate and facial recognition, and a speedy and effective response to any crime spotted will be of great importance,” said councillor Sun.
The IOC Reaction Unit will bolster the crime-combating technology with a team of dedicated quick attack JMPD officers.
Councillor Sun said, “These officers will be under cover in both unmarked and marked patrol vehicles and will be deployed to hot spots identified in areas such as Braamfontein, Yeoville, Hillbrow. Doornfontein and other parts of the inner city.
“The Unit will respond within three minutes with guidance from the IOC. The unit and the centre will work hand in glove 24 hours a day, to take down the criminals lurking on our streets,” he continued.
Sun emphasised the need for a strong relationship between the City, the Police and the National Prosecution Authority.
“Justice will only prevail if criminals are detained and prosecuted,” he said.
The Department of Public Safety is making significant progress in increasing the number of CCTV feeds to the IOC and is working directly with several stakeholders in the private sector, where privately owned CCTV cameras feeds will be monitored at the IOC.
Sun also mentioned that they will be unveiling more innovative hi-tech projects which will assist in improving service delivery and ensure the safety of the residents as they grow the IOC Reaction Unit to 160 officers.
