WITH the expected rise of criminal activity in the area during the festive session, the Empangeni SAPS have been divided into four sectors, with police vans spread around the city.
The initiative was designed to make it easier for the public to reach the police, report crime quicker and for the police to respond to incidents faster than usual.
Captain Mbongiseni Mdlaose told the Zululand Observer that police vans will be deployed in the Central Business District (CBD), the Rail and other crucial areas throughout the holiday period.
‘This will make it easy for us to respond to crime reports and get there much sooner than before. Vans will be spread all over town so residents can reach us quicker in case of emergencies, rather than walking long distances to the police station.
‘If there is a complainant at Ngwelezane or the Rail, our controller will than notify the police van in that area. That means speedier reaction time,’ said Mdlalose.
Mdlalose said a mobile centre has also been placed in the CBD as a means of reducing crime activities.
‘The mobile centre is to make sure that perpetrator are aware that police will be on the lookout for any criminal activities such as house and business breakins. All these changes won’t stop after the holidays. We will continue with this arrangement,’ he added.
