Starting January 1, 2026: 24/7 municipal policing in all neighborhoods of the city • Increased presence, effective enforcement and rapid response to incidents • Police and municipality: "Real change will be felt in the first phase"
Haifa is starting 2026 with a significant move to strengthen the personal security of its residents: the new municipal policing unit "Oz" has begun operating throughout the city and will provide presence, enforcement and rapid response at all hours of the day. The unit, established in full cooperation with the Haifa Police, is expected to change the reality on the ground and increase the sense of security in the public space.
New unit – new presence: around-the-clock urban policing
The "Oz" unit will operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week, in all neighborhoods of the city. Its activities will be carried out using mobile vehicles, motorcycles and foot patrols, and will focus on enforcement against phenomena that harm personal security and quality of life, from violence and criminal behavior to threats in public spaces.
In the first phase, the unit consisted of about 30 inspectors and police officers, and their number is expected to grow to about 100. All inspectors have undergone operational training, drills, and ranges, and they work in joint shifts with police officers from the Haifa station who were specifically designated for this mission.
Professional and trained force: police officers and inspectors on joint shifts
The "Oz" unit consists of police officers from the Haifa station and municipal police inspectors who have undergone specialized training, exercises, and ranges.
The activity will include:
- Dealing with hazards in public spaces
- Targeted enforcement against criminal phenomena
- Deterrence and increased presence
- Rapid response to criminal incidents
The unit will begin its journey with dozens of police officers and inspectors, and their number is expected to increase in the future.
Extensive investment in infrastructure and technology
The establishment of the unit was accompanied by a significant investment:
- Recruitment and training of professional personnel
- Purchasing new vehicles and motorcycles
- Integrating advanced technological means
- Expanding the municipal security camera network
- Joint working infrastructure with the police
All this is in accordance with the plan approved by the Ministry of the Interior.
Dedicated security levy: full funding for municipal security
The establishment of the unit was made possible thanks to the municipal bylaw for security services, which allows for the collection of a designated security levy. The levy rate for 2026 is NIS 2.32 per square meter of built-up area, and it will be collected from every property owner in the city starting in January.
All levy funds will be deposited in a designated fund and will be used solely for municipal security purposes:
- Recruitment and training of personnel
- Expanding the security camera array
- Purchasing mobility and motorcycles
- Advanced technological equipment
- Ongoing reinforcement of the unit's activities
The discounts and exemptions applicable to property taxes do not apply to the maintenance levy.
"Real change on the ground": Responses from mayors and police
The mayor, Yona Yahav"The personal safety of Haifa residents is our top priority. 'Oz' is no longer a unit, it is a clear statement of intent. Residents will see it in every neighborhood, at every hour, every day."
Carmel Region Commander, Lt. Col. Boaz Smuka"From the very first stage, the public will feel a real change in presence, enforcement, and personal security, especially in the Hadar neighborhood."
Municipality Director General, David Luria"We have established a complete infrastructure: manpower, training, infrastructure and equipment. The security levy ensures that every shekel will be dedicated to the security of the residents."
Haifa Station Commander, Lt. Col. Eyal Shahar"Urban policing is a significant force multiplier. High presence and rapid response will improve the quality of life in the city."
Director of the Oz Unit, Ilan Meranditz"The unit is setting out prepared and professional. The presence will be felt in all neighborhoods of the city, and the work will be daily."
Already on the ground: first tours around the city
Upon its launch, the "Oz" unit began patrolling on foot and on horseback in key locations in the city. Residents are expected to feel an increased presence, faster response to incidents, and effective enforcement as early as January, which will contribute to an improved sense of security.
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The "Oz" unit is not noticeable at all in the center of the Carmel. It is not seen at all on Lotus, Keller, Sderot Al-Brushim, Sderot Hatzvi and Sderot Yitzhak, not on Maayan Street and not on Sahob Heine. What are they charging security fees for? The streets are dirty and filthy with dog poop, no one is enforcing the law requiring dog owners to pick up the poop. We look like streets in India!!!!!!
The roads are full of potholes. They don't bother to re-tar them.
Apart from wasting fuel… nothing. We have already seen the ‘efficiency’ of the unit.
But why is everyone in black threatening? Why is everyone in black - train inspectors, school guards, bus inspectors, police officers, the Israeli Security Service...
Why not a welcoming color?
Publishing the deception to residents and this will supposedly be a reason for an additional fee for residents.
The "Oz" unit was apparently established for one purpose only, and no other,
Maintaining municipal offices and buildings,
For all its assets and people,
Because really, really,
We don't see their activity at all in the city,
And we don't feel any change or benefit in the city...
Municipalities do not have the budget to pay inspectors, so they collect a levy tax every month in the property tax payment section.
This is not a law enacted by the Knesset.
Why are their people silent?
In any case, since then, it has been the duty of the inspectors to go around the city and maintain it.
What's the difference now?
This is not a political law!!
Stop being indifferent.!!
The cuts will only get worse.
It starts small and ends big!!
Wake up!!
Do you think this is legal??
All authorities need to be replaced.
We are having fun like a herd!!
And everyone is silent!!!
This means the bankruptcy of the police, which does not provide a solution. Much of the police budget goes to glorify the minister instead of serving the citizen. The police should recruit more good police officers who will serve the citizen and not harass him as is happening now. They should treat the Arab residents with respect and see them as human beings.
So is Ben Gvir guilty? Or Netanyahu? Or Trump? Go look for complaints about someone else.
We want actions, not words.
We are fed up and tired of idle talk.
Want real results on the ground?
We want personal security for every resident of the city.
And not just useless articles for the press
If the unit is made up of trained police officers and municipal employees
They receive salaries from the police and the municipality.
Why do we need to be given the territory?
When by definition it is not security, but just a feeling of security.
What a poor definition.
I hope that the new unit will be present at night in the Hadar neighborhood, and especially on Friday nights in the HaNevi'im area and Daniel Street, where the Arabs riot with their motorcycles and crime. Because drinking coffee in Neot Peres is easy, but it doesn't solve anything.
My question is this.
If I, as a resident, pay a security fee, and rioters steal/vandalize my vehicle, is the Haifa Municipality the defendant? Because in practice this fee is paid for security.
They didn't give you protection just for the sake of protection.
It's just that you feel safe, but in reality they'll continue to rob you.
They will come up with a million and one excuses for you, if any harm happens, God forbid, to any ordinary resident.
But if it's someone close to the municipality and its administrators,
The matter will be settled.
Corrupt municipality
They have no God.
Neither law nor justice
Haifa residents pay property taxes and income tax, and with this money, security must be provided for the residents. There is no justification whatsoever for an additional collection from the citizen. What's more, the collection is per square meter, not per person. We must go to court. This money will go to cronies and the ultra-Orthodox.
right
You are absolutely right…
Abolish the unnecessary additional levy. Failure - The municipality collects approximately 11,000 NIS in annual property taxes for a residential apartment in Zone A and is unable to provide security to the resident.
Now charging more security fees.
Instead of handing out parking tickets in the afternoon. They should send the inspectors and the police to patrol the streets and prevent violence and crime. They should talk to Ben Gvir. He has the entire police force in his hands. And there are police officers who want to work extra shifts. Fewer paid deputies, more good police officers.
Cancel the levy
You are charging 90,000,000 (90 million) shekels!!! from the residents. A billion shekels for the next 10 years. I have no doubt that this is far above the operating cost of this system.
And how do you propose they finance the 300 million shekels for the inflated budget pensions of the municipality's retirees or the salaries of 400 senior municipal officials? Or the city administration offices of Yahav + five deputies with salary increases of 7 million shekels in the 2026 budget? Shoving another deep hand into our pockets, that's how.
sad
According to the municipality's job posting, there is not even a requirement for an army combatant certificate and there is not even a requirement for military service at all?
So what's it like the Haifa Municipality inspectors, only with different clothes?
Exactly. A substandard city with a substandard mayor with a substandard police force. A substandard leading city in everything, in short.
Is it permissible for someone who is not a minority to apply?
If this was the right move, we will know in 6 months…
But…there is no doubt that it was a necessary move in light of Haifa's current situation.
Congratulations to the decision makers and good luck to the new unit!!
Do you think this group of clowns will stop the protection that half of the city's businesses pay for!???! In a million years there will be no change on the ground, only in our pockets!!! Sad
Do they have a police officer's license?
If so, who authorized it? Then it's easier to increase the police's manpower.
If not, it's about municipal officials...
So what is the difference between them and other city inspectors?
Well done for the initiative!!!
It was long overdue…
Beautiful advertisement.
How do you contact them in an emergency?
You won't call them... but the police, and instead of them sending police officers, they will report to send inspectors from the Oz unit who will fill out an incident report with you and then maybe call the police, do you understand?
This way, crime will drop by between 10 and 20 percent, an increase in crime.
A welcome initiative, well done 👍