JMPD launches new street-crime quick reaction unit

THE City of Johannesburg launched a new team of 80 dedicated Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD) officers, focused on combating street crimes reported on a daily basis in the inner city.

MMC for public safety Clr 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.

While the City’s IOC monitors city-owned CCTV cameras 24 hours a day using technology such as licence plate and facial recognition, a speedy and effective response to any crime spotted is equally important.

The 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 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 hand, 24/7, to take down criminals lurking on the streets.

It is also vital that there is a strong relationship between the city, the SAPS and the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA). Justice will only prevail if criminals are detained and prosecuted.

“For too long, the streets of Joburg have been held hostage by muggers, hijackers and other criminals. However, through the IOC reaction unit and the commitment of the JMPD, we have drawn the line clearly. The department is making good progress in increasing the number of CCTV feeds to the IOC and we are 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 high-tech projects, which will assist to improve service delivery and ensure our residents are kept safe. This is planned as we simultaneously grow the IOC reaction unit to 160 officers,” explained Sun.

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