The Hindu : Kerala / Kochi News : City police to focus on public relations

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Dec 26, 2004

Kerala

Kerala - Kochi

City police to focus on public relations

By Our Staff Reporter

KOCHI, DEC. 25. The city police are working on projects to improve their interaction with the public. Senior officials in the force are fine-tuning projects such as Crime Reduction Programme (CRP).

The police have succeeded in checking the law and order situation in the city and are now focussing their efforts on following up issues with public support. A pocket-card for the New Year will be brought out as part of the CRP.

The card, according to the preliminary designs suggested, will include telephone numbers that the public will need during instances of emergency. It will also include tips to prevent crime and guidelines on what should be done on reaching a spot where crime has been committed.

The proposal will be taken up as the next phase of the community policing programme.

Regular meetings

The city police plan to make the meetings with representatives of residents' associations a regular event. The name of the event will be launched at a function to be attended by the DIG, Ernakulam Range, R. Sreelekha. At present, the top brass of the force, led by City Police Commissioner, meets the representatives of the associations every second Saturday.

Electronic displays

Electronic displays units on safety tips will be set up at main junctions as part of the CRP. Repeated transmission of messages on safety and crime prevention will be needed in order to reach out to a vast audience and for effective communication, said one of the senior officials involved in the CRP. The city police are also on the lookout for sponsors to set up checking posts or `naka bandhis' to effectively monitor traffic flowing in and out of the city limits.

The police had identified 17 points along the border of the city and check-posts will come up at five or six points in the first phase.

The points expected to have check-posts during the first phase are Kumbalam, Vytilla, Palarivattom, Kalamassery and the Goshree Bridges.

Each unit is expected to cost Rs.15,000 to Rs.30,000 and the city police are now targeting insurance companies and banks to sponsor the first phase.

A suggestion has been forwarded that the cooperation of the Department of Tourism be sought in setting up these check-posts. By providing brochures and tourism-related literature through the check-posts, they could be doubled up as official entry points to the city.

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