"I tell them about the ways they can be cheated, and to be alert to conmen," says Anand, who works in the administration department of Cognizant Technology Solutions. Anand and some of his friends are members of the community liaison group (CLG) the police have formed in Madipakkam to create awareness about prevention of crime. "We got businesses involved and helped the police install closed circuit television cameras in the locality," says Anand.
The move to form CLGs is part of the community policing initiatives. "We have an effective patrolling system in the city," says additional commissioner of police (south Chennai) Rajesh Das. "But if there is a shortage of personnel, we get the Friends of Police or CLG members to help. Many people have been volunteering to assist us."
The findings of TOI's Chennai Patrol survey show that 20% of the wards feel crime control is bad and link it to poor night patrolling and lack of police booths. The police say they are working to improve the beat system to have local officers build a good rapport with residents. They plan to set up police assistance centres and complaint boxes.
At least one officer will handle each ward, and he will also take up certain civic issues like street lights. "Apart from creating goodwill, the beat officer will help residents handle civic issues and aid crime prevention. Dark streets facilitate movement of criminals, so it is in the interest of the police to have working streetlights. Robbers often masquerade as electricians or mechanics and enter houses of senior citizens. Beat policemen can prevent all this," says Das.
Currently, each ward has one patrol vehicle. "The presence of beat officers will prevent drunken brawls and harassment. Familiarity with the local officer will instil a sense of security in the community," says another police officer.
People say they are happy to help. Industrial consultant S Vasudevan, 55, who has been volunteering with the police for 29 years, says, "We act as mediators between the police and the general public."
These volunteers also help the police solve cases by providing information. "Continued presence of grassroots intelligence and public support will help police nab criminals. Their help goes a long way in easing the burden of the strained police resources," says an officer.
Source: http://to.ly/mdIM
