BY EPHREM ANDARGACHEW
Hawassa – Various crime prevention operations with the help of modern technology installed in Hawassa city have been proven effective, so disclosed the city administration. Ensuring peace and security, apart from preventing criminal activities that change their shape and behavior in time, allows the city to become a tourism destination and host various national and international conferences without any security problem, it was learnt.
Hawassa City Administration Peace and Security Bureau Head Mekuria Menesa told The Ethiopian that the administration has been working in collaboration with state government, the business community, elders, religious leaders, civic society, and governmental and non-governmental institutions to maintain the peace and security of the city. As to him, the city has so far become a conference center and has been hosting public gatherings and holidays, religious, political, governmental, Prosperity Party Summit, and public events without any security problems.
He said: “The city administration has installed security cameras in collaboration with non-governmental, regional, and federal government in order to further maintain peace and security as well as to overcome the ever-changing security threat. Security cameras are being installed in various areas of the city, especially on the main roads, institutions, banks, at areas prone to serious crimes, and others.” According to Mekuria, the city administration spends 40 to 50 million Birr installing security cameras. Not only is installation of security cameras instrumental in controlling crimes in the city but also individuals who run illicit undertakings coming from other places.
He further elucidated that it has been possible to prevent criminals who steal cars from other cities, especially from Addis Ababa to Hawassa City. It is also possible to prevent snatching mobile phones, car accidents, and so on in so doing. As the activities being carried out to prevent using the security cameras in the region have been successful, other regions have taken them as best practices, he explained.
The city administration is working in coordination with the Ethio-telecom, electricity, and concerned organizations to install security cameras across the city in the future, he said adding that such a bold move would help ensure the peace and security of the city and promote the peaceful running of day-to-day activities of the region and scale up tourist destinations.
THE ETHIOPIAN WEDNESDAY 15 MARCH 2023
