Plans are afoot to launch the Nelson Mandela Bay Metro Police and the City has set aside almost R4 million for the implementation and an additional R224 million has already been budgeted for the 2015/2016 financial year.
The Metro Police Steering Committee led by the Safety and Security Acting Executive Director: Shadrack Sibiya is hard at work in order to ensure that all the legislative requirements are met which include a 24 hour service, civilian oversight (in terms of section 64 J of the South African Police Service Act, 1995). The first phase of the Nelson Mandela Bay Metro Police will kick off on 30 April 2016.
“We are steadfast in our resolve to deal with the ongoing fight against crime and gang related violence in our communities. Our strategy is in implementing the Metro Police is to ensure that through the formation of partnerships with the broader community, all policing agencies and other forums and law enforcement partners, create a safe and secure environment for the optimum functioning of all stakeholders within the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipal Area, ” according to Acting City Manager Mr Johann Mettler.
“In our quest to build safer communities through Taking Back Our City campaign, the phased implementation of the Metro Police will amplify visible policing but most importantly we have to create employment opportunities for our youth.
“It is for this reason that we are preoccupied with diversifying our economy and deliver with a burning sense of urgency on the ocean economy, township economy and the creative economy,” added Mettler.
The role of the Metro Police has been misunderstood and it should be clear that their role is not to replace the South African Police Service as a result “on 30th April the Metro Police will be joining Operation Lockdown” spearheaded by SAPS and this project has seen successes to date.
“There will be also be immediate visibility of the Metro Police in the Northern Areas,” said Mr Mettler.
Cameras are installed in various parts of the Northern Areas linked to a functional CCTV control room. The Metro Police will focus on a “broken window” approach which is an opportunity to deal with by-laws, traffic enforcement and crime prevention.
NMB Communications
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