Law enforcement in Almaty will cruise the city streets on electric scooters for patrolling purposes.
In the heart of Almaty, the city's police department is taking strides to boost security in parks, squares, and pedestrian areas. The plans, announced by Kanat Taymerdenov, head of the Almaty city police department, include reinforcing patrols and introducing new equipment.
Starting this summer, 50 more patrols will be converted to foot patrols, equipped with electric scooters. This move aims to increase mobility, speed, and coverage for officers, allowing them to move quickly through traffic and cover larger areas than on foot alone.
In addition, patrol police will be equipped with motorcycles, particularly during traffic congestion on central streets. These vehicles will help officers navigate more efficiently and respond to incidents promptly.
The city akim has supported the purchase of new generation video recorders for patrol services. These video recorders allow for real-time, remote monitoring, audio and video recording, documentation of illegal actions, and control of the service of patrols.
Last year, the department deployed one additional car and three foot patrols, along with a modular post, in specific areas. These measures, combined with the effective work of the modular post, have resulted in a 31% decrease in registered crimes in that area. The clearance rate for 'hot' cases has also improved to 54%.
These new measures are aimed at addressing issues related to the timely arrival at the scene of a crime or road traffic accident. In fact, the time taken for car patrols to cover the mentioned area has been reduced from 50 minutes to 30 minutes.
The department's strategy seems to be working, and they plan to continue these efforts. The increased visibility and accessibility provided by foot patrols and electric scooters, coupled with the speed and efficiency of motorcycles, could be effective tools in augmenting traditional policing methods in urban areas like Almaty.
While specific data from Almaty city regarding the effectiveness of these new measures is not yet available, general principles from urban policing suggest that these tools could be beneficial. Police departments in various global cities have reported some positive results using similar strategies for community policing and rapid response, although the overall impact on crime rates varies based on implementation and enforcement strategies.
As the city of Almaty continues to grow and evolve, so too does its police force. The department's commitment to modernising its patrol methods and embracing technology is a testament to their dedication to keeping the city safe and secure for all its residents.
In the evolution of Almaty's police force, smart-home-devices like new generation video recorders are being integrated for real-time, remote monitoring and control of patrol services. Modern gadgets such as electric scooters and motorcycles are also being equipped to patrols for enhanced mobility and efficiency.
