Tamil Nadu - Madurai   

Police get needed teeth

Incidents of crime is on the wane in the city thanks to an effective mobile patrolling mechanism, says S. Vijay Kumar

ON THE GUARD: Mobile patrol police keeping watch near an ATM in the city. — Photo: K. Ganesan

Street brawls, nuisance of drunkards, eve-teasing at public places etc. These offences are, of late, on the wane in the Temple City, thanks to an effective mobile patrolling mechanism — 12 mobile vehicles with armed police personnel and 19 motorcycle patrol parties. This is in addition to the routine patrolling of the local police.

These vehicles do the rounds as per a well-planned patrolling scheme round-the-clock. Almost all the remote places, by-lanes and residential areas are covered. After dusk, the focus is also on Indian Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL) retail outlets of the Tamil Nadu State Marketing Corporation (TASMAC). Around midnight, mobile patrol vehicles visit liquor shops in their respective jurisdiction and report to the Police Control Room. Night duty officers supervise patrolling in residential areas, commercial streets and banks.

Close watch on ATMs

"We keep a close watch on Automated Teller Machines (ATMs). Though private banks have appointed security personnel for their ATMs, a few nationalised banks have no guards. It has been advised to the bank officials to have guards though the police have brought ATMs under their vigil," an Assistant Commissioner of Police said.

During the end of every month, the surveillance is more on ATMs since they are loaded with cash often in view of salary disbursement to employees. "The target reaction time has come down to just three minutes now. Unless the place of disturbance is too remote or not easily accessible, a police patrol team will reach any point usually in less than five minutes."

It is on the advice of the police, private security guards have been engaged in the bullion bazaar and other shopping malls. "Private security guards, burglar alarms, Friends of Police and community policing will not only ease the burden on police but also minimise property offences," he added.

With the recent passing out of new police recruits from training colleges, the city police plans to re-open the 48 police booths established during 2001 at vulnerable points, which were later closed down owing to shortage of manpower. The increased visibility of police will serve as a deterrent on anti-social elements.

However, chain-snatching incidents are continuing in some areas and emphasis is on apprehending habitual offenders, police sources add.

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