The Smart Map system and visual alert option at the operations room will help reduce crime.
Ajman - The advanced system in the new operations room helps locate the caller reporting emergency of any kind.
Published: Tue 26 Jun 2018, 12:00 AM
Last updated: Tue 26 Jun 2018, 8:26 AM
Police officers in Ajman are now able to identify the locations of emergency phone calls, thanks to its integration with Etisalat, said a top official.
"The advanced system in the new operations room helps locate the caller reporting emergency of any kind. It will ensure quick response to incidents and accidents to protect lives and properties," said Lt-Col Hisham Abdullah Bu Shihab, director of the Ajman Police operations room, during a Press conference held to announce the features of the new operations room.
"In incidents such as fires, lives were lost because locating the place took time, but now the issue is resolved. Once the police receive a call, regardless of the language they speak, the police will reach them in the shortest response time. Miscommunication with non-Arabic callers can also be reduced as they can monitor locations from the operations room," he said.
"The operations room is also electronically linked to the traffic department, civil defence, national ambulance and all other vital departments which will be alerted of the report," he added.
Major Saeed Ali Al Madhani, deputy director of the operations room, said the new facility was introduced by the Ministry of Interior (MoI). "It has smart map and visual alert feature that boost safety.
"The smart map will contribute to identify 'hot zones' - streets that witness a large number of accidents and areas where crimes occur frequently. The visual alert option is linked to 2,879 cameras installed in 154 institutions across Ajman. It is aimed to prevent crimes by alerting police in case of break-ins or other illegal activities around the commercial areas," he said.
The visual alert cameras are extremely sensitive to the slightest motion. The police have received alerts from banks when distributors left newspapers under the door and from ATM booths when clients slammed doors roughly. "When the alarms ring, we switch on the cameras linked to the place. Recently, we watched thieves making an opening on a wall that separated an exchange centre from adjacent shop. We easily arrested them," said Al Madhani.
Calls received by the Ajman Police
In the first three months of 2018, 177,000 emergency calls were attended by the old operations room of the Ajman Police.
Lt-Col Hisham Abdullah Bu Shihab, director of Ajman Police operations room, said that for every non-emergency call that officers handled there could be another resident in need of police assistance. "The Ajman Police have activated 901 for non-emergency calls, inquiries about police services or other public services.
"A vast majority of nuisance calls are accidental while the rest typically involves silent callers or calls by children to resolve their issues. These callers are usually warned about the consequences of such actions by the officers who pick up the calls," he said.
"During Ramadan, people called the operations room to check for Maghrib prayer timings so they can break their fast. These calls are not be registered in the system," he added.
Lt Col Bu Shihab said that many calls came from people asking about numerous non-urgent matters such as how to open a traffic file or how to apply for a government job.
afkar@khaleejtimes.com
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