A new modus operandi for Metro police to combat rampant muggings and other crimes in the Jozi CBD
JOBURG – Muggers and hijackers in Jozi CBD have been warned that 'Big Brother' is watching over them and that a crack reaction unit of Metro officers will be on them.
The rampant muggings and other petty crimes could be a thing of the past in the Jozi CBD and all thanks to a new policing modus operandi launched by the City of Johannesburg’s Metro police.
The new policing modus operandi was launched by the MMC for Public Safety Michael Sun along with the acting head of the City’s Department of Public Safety David Tembe, where the pair welcomed the new Integrated Intelligent Operation Centre (IOC) Reaction Unit.
The City announced the launch of a new team of 80 dedicated Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD) officers, focused on combating street crimes that are reported on a daily basis in the inner city.
The City has always monitored its CCTV cameras 24 hours a day, but it believes this will be further enhanced with the introduction of technology like licence plate and facial recognition, which will enable a speedy and effective response to any crime spotted.
“This IOC Reaction Unit will bolster this crime-combating technology with a team of dedicated quick-attack Metro police officers. These officers will be undercover in both unmarked and marked patrol vehicles and will be deployed to hotpots identified in areas like Braamfontein, Yeoville, Hillbrow, Doornfontein and other parts of the inner city,” Sun said.
“The unit is expected to respond within three minutes with guidance from the IOC. The unit and the centre will work hand in hand, 24/7, to take down criminals lurking on our streets,” he added.
Sun also pointed out what he called ‘the vital importance of a strong relationship’ between the City, the South African Police Service and the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA).
“Justice will only prevail if criminals are detained and prosecuted.”
For far too long, Sun said the streets of Joburg have been held hostage by muggers, hijackers, and other criminals and ‘we hope the new policing modus operandi through the IOC Reaction Unit and the commitment of the JMPD, we have drawn the line clearly’.
He said the department was making good progress in increasing the number of CCTV feeds to the IOC and was working directly with several stakeholders in the private sector where privately owned CCTV camera feeds will be monitored directly at the IOC.
“We will in the following months also unveil more innovative hi-tech projects which will assist to improve service delivery and ensure our residents are safe and we will simultaneously grow the IOC Reaction Unit to 160 officers,” Sun said.
Related article:
https://northeasterntribune.co.za/233451/newly-launched-metro-police-cctv-response-unit-already-shows-signs-success/
