Cape Town - The City of Cape Town wants businesses to sponsor “rent-a-cops’' to patrol smash-and-grab hotspots on Jakes Gerwel Drive and the N2 to protect road users from stone-throwing attacks.
The city has expanded its rent-a-cop programme, following a Mayoral Committee decision to extend the contracts of 190 officers. Recently 21 more were appointed.
Rent-a-cop was introduced in 2008 when the city agreed that individuals, companies, non-governmental organisations or institutions could sponsor Law Enforcement, Metro Police and traffic officers, enabling the city to increase levels of visible policing without the budgetary implications.
“We would be able to deploy staff in safety kiosks along these routes and these could even be branded by the sponsors,” said safety and security Mayco member JP Smith.
He said the sponsor agreement allowed rented officers to be redirected to Metro Police, Law Enforcement or Traffic Services when there was a serious operational need. Smith said while sponsors pay the salaries of rent-a-cops, the officers reported to the city.
“Sponsors can request that they be deployed to cover trouble spots during problem hours,” Smith said.
Rent-a-cops enforced by-laws and council regulations. They also assist Metro Police and the police with their crime prevention and enforcement.
Smith said it was the police’s duty to conduct patrols, but the city needed to try every trick in the book to ensure safety.
Cape Times