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Johannesburg Boosts Smart Policing With High-Tech Vehicles and Data Tools

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Business Honor - Johannesburg Enhances Smart Policing

Business Honor
12 August, 2025

Johannesburg advances smart city goals by modernizing policing with high-tech patrol vehicles and real-time data tools.

Johannesburg is taking a giant leap towards becoming a smart city by modernizing policing with the addition of advanced patrol vehicles and innovative electronic equipment. The move reflects the Executive Mayor Dada Morero's vision for employing technology to spearhead public safety and enhancing the effectiveness of law enforcement across the city. At the center of this transformation is the Johannesburg Metro Police Department's (JMPD) brand-new police cars, which are equipped with Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) technology and electronic handheld terminals. Over one thousand of these vehicles are set to be deployed throughout the city, enabling policemen to automatically identify stolen or unregistered vehicles in a flash. The ANPR technology automatically checks license plates real-time against records of wanted or illegal vehicles, facilitating quick and precise response by the police.

Police who have employed these intelligent tools have referred to the technology as a game changer in policing in cities, particularly in a city with frequent motor-related crimes such as hijackings and theft. The real-time alerts from the system give "eyes on the road," allowing for quicker and better response than using conventional tip-offs or actual checks. Aside from vehicle identification, handheld devices carried by officers allow for real-time confirmation of driver data, outstanding fines, and vehicle status while conducting roadside stops. This minimizes delays and enhances police-public interaction towards more efficient and transparent law enforcement.

The improvement is a component of Johannesburg's broader plan to use data-driven solutions to increase police visibility, improve safety, and rebuild community confidence.

JMPD's implementation of these technologies helps the city achieve its vision of becoming smarter, safer, and more responsive urban space. Mayor Morero commended the technology deployment as a highlight in the city's smart transformation journey. With additional smart patrol cars making their way onto the roads in the near future, citizens can anticipate enhanced policing and faster crime response, affirming Johannesburg's dedication to smart city technology and environmentally friendly urban security.