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Photo: Motti Kimchi
Sex worker assaulted in Neve Sha'anan
Photo: Motti Kimchi

Meet the peacekeeping unit of south Tel Aviv

They patrol Tel Aviv's busy streets, trying to maintain order amongst the myriad populations congregated in their area of responsibility; meet Tel Aviv's City Security Patrol, a unit by the city—for the people.

Two years ago the City Security Patrol (CSP) unit was founded to assist Tel Aviv police in their fight against everyday crimes and misdemeanors.

 

 

According to its director, Avinoam Erez, the CSP was adapted from a New York model. Aside from easing the police's workload, the unit's clear purpose is to maintain public order and present authority in the more downtrodden parts of Tel Aviv.

 

Patrolmen assisting a sex worker after she was assaulted (Photo: Motti Kimchi)
Patrolmen assisting a sex worker after she was assaulted (Photo: Motti Kimchi)

 

Today, the CSP has 30 patrol cars and 200 patrolmen at their disposal, and they are being used frequently: In 2015 there were 41,620 incidents recorded by CSP. In 2016 that number grew to 54,627—a 31% increase. That number is comprised of 22,202 incidents of noise and damage to quality of life, 17,735 incidents of bullying and violence, 9,037 public disorder incidents and 5,653 other incidents.

 

Neve Sha'anan is one of the neighborhoods most assisted by the CSP. In 2016 there was a 60% rise in incidents in this crime-stricken part of Tel Aviv, 4,888 recorded incidents compared to 3,057 incidents in 2015. A patrol car drivies by every few minutes, making sure that the assembled myriads are not violating the public order. "We are patrolling by car and foot to show authority and maintain peace," said Erez.

 

CSP Director Avinoam Erez (Photo: Motti Kimchi)
CSP Director Avinoam Erez (Photo: Motti Kimchi)

 

According to the unit's patrolmen, the change it's making is already clearly showing. Notorious parks have been clear of people at nights, the price of illegal substances such as cocaine quadrupled and whole communities of illegal residents switched their beers for coffee.

 

"People here would drink 30 beers a person, then go outside and fight," said patrolman Roi Yehuda. "Since we came into the picture they switched their alcohol with coffee and hukas because they realized that there is an authority in their neighborhood. We also managed to shut down the stolen bicycle market that's been active here for years."

 


פרסום ראשון: 02.25.17, 17:22
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