The City’s new Highway Patrol Unit uses technology at the forefront to monitor incidents that occur on Cape Town’s main arterial routes.
The Highway Patrol Unit will be tasked with 24-hour patrols, conducting enforcement, and responding to incidents detected through the Freeway Management System cameras.
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The officers will also help motorists who experience vehicle malfunctions and manage traffic when necessary.
The Highway Patrol Unit will also be able to assist with area enforcement and other specialist units like the Ghost Squad where needed.
Vehicles assigned to the unit will be equipped with dash cams and Automated Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) Technology, and the officers will wear body cams.
The ANPR dash-cam system can automatically track motorists with outstanding warrants, identify duplicate or cloned licence plates, alert them to stolen vehicles or vehicles that have been identified as having been involved in criminal acts, and more.
During peak hours, officers will also be stationed on the N2 at Hospital Bend and Mew Way to respond to any accidents or other problems that could slow traffic or threaten public safety.
Executive Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis said:
“This Highway Patrol Unit is our latest investment in public safety. We hope that this helps road users feel safer on our main highways. We’ll keep going with investments like this, and new cutting-edge crime-fighting technology until every resident feels safer in Cape Town. This unit also signals the first shift to a 24-hour Traffic Service operation in Cape Town.”
He continued, “The inclusion of technology highlights our focus on innovation in crime fighting, to make our Officers more effective in their work. The activation of this unit is well-timed, as we prepare for the festive season, which requires all hands on deck to ensure a safe and happy time for our residents and visitors alike.”
The City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security, Alderman JP Smith, said:
“This unit was conceptualised several years ago, but the launch was delayed by the pandemic. I’m very happy to see the idea finally come to life, for the benefit of road users, and safer commuting. It will also be a welcome boost to our existing efforts to mitigate the risks posed by criminals on our highways.”
He continued, “A dedicated Highway Patrol Unit is a best-case practice that is used in leading policing agencies around the world. As Cape Town continues to model its future policing functions in line with international standards, this unit is a welcome addition to the existing enforcement services. Our Metro Police Department has been doing sporadic patrols on mainly the N2 and R300 for a number of years now amid an increase in attacks, and this Highway Patrol Unit will expand our footprint to other routes including the N7, which has also developed a reputation.”
The Highway Patrol Unit consists of 25 traffic officers, four senior inspectors, one principal inspector, and two administrative staff members.
The City says there are plans to double this capacity in the next financial year.
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Picture: City of Cape Town