One of the residents raised the issue of security and safety. She said there numerous reports of robbers using police equipment to rob motorists and other innocent victims. She said the system could be risky as the wardens could easily lose the jackets which may end up in the hands of criminals.
Another resident questioned the legality of the wardens being given Metro police equipment.
North Eastern Tribune spoke to different people concerning the issue and received inconsistent views on the matter.
Metro police spokesperson Wayne Minnaar said the matter would have to be investigated by Metro police.
Minaar said, “No, construction workers cannot wear JMPD jackets, it may be similar as the colours may be the same, but they are not JMPD jackets. This matter will have to be investigated further by Metro police. Staff of construction companies may assist traffic on roads in and around construction areas by waving a red flag.”
Meanwhile, Ward 32 councillor Steven Kruger said the jackets had traffic controller written on them, so they were not the standard Metro police uniform.
“My feeling is that it gives the people the authority to control the traffic at construction sites, without giving them the authority to take on other Metro police responsibilities. This does free properly trained officers to carry out the more important bylaw enforcement role, rather than spend the whole day or week at a construction site directing traffic,” Kruger said.
Roger Chadwick, chairman of the Orange Grove Residents’ Association said, “I think it is above board. These people would not be working with the contractors unless they were trained.” Ward 73 councillor Marcelle Ravid said, “Contractors are allowed to wear Metro police reflective jackets as they were trained by Metro police to control traffic. They are accredited to work as traffic wardens like those of Outsurance.”
While Chad Thomas of IRS Forensic Investigations said there were private companies that offer traffic warden training in conjunction with Metro police and register them as traffic wardens. Thomas said, “This is much the same as Outsurance-sponsored wardens for traffic lights that are down.”
