Gov't approves establishment of urban police force

The government approved Tuesday the establishment of an urban police force which will begin operations on an experimental basis in 15 local authorities across Israel in the next two years.

A new authority, the "urban enforcement council," will be responsible for the layout and its inspectors will undergo special training in the Israel Police. Last month Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu decided that the Israel Police will oversee the urban forces' activities.

The urban police activity will focus on the eradication of crime and violence as well as offences which relate to residents' quality of life and personal safety. Its inspectors will be granted various new authorities including the ability to detain suspects for three hours, ban entry into certain facilities and escort suspects to police stations.

In addition a new advanced technological layout of cameras and sensors will be installed in order to assist in the prevention of violence, vandalism, etc.

Prime Minister Netanyahu, who was one of the plan's initiators, welcomed the ministers' decision. "This is an important and groundbreaking step in the government's commitment to increasing citizens' personal security. I believe the integrated model would help improve citizens' quality of life and create a higher level of personal and communal security," he said.

Internal Security Minister Yitzhak Aharonovitch expressed hope that the new urban layout would provide a solution for many menaces which have thus far "fallen between the cracks."

"When a person returns home he is bothered by graffiti on the wall, noise in the yard and primarily the fear of going out on the street in various locations," Aharonovitch said. He added that the new layout would include local residents who will remain in their cities at all times, except during national emergencies.

Shmulik Grossman contributed to this report