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Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, September 20
In a bid to revive community policing in the city and to strengthen the bond between local residents and the police, the UT police are going to introduce a model by initiating WhatsApp groups in some areas on a pilot basis in which area SHO, beat staff, traders, local residents and senior citizens will be the members.
The announcement regarding the same was made by UT SSP Jagdale Nilambari Vijay while addressing an interactive session on community policing with an objective of child safety in Chandigarh, organised by the Chandigarh Commission for Protection of Child Rights (CCPCR) at the UT guest house.
The SSP said on a pilot basis, WhatsApp groups could be created which would have the local SHO, beat staff and residents as members. The motive behind the move was to promote community policing.
“We will introduce the system in a few areas on a trial basis and if it works out then the same will be introduced in other parts of the city,” the SSP said.
The SSP said the WhatsApp groups would also provide residents a platform to share information regarding the sale of drugs, beggary in the area and child labour.
On the demand raised over conducting police-public interactions, the SSP assured that meetings at the police station level would be held on a quarterly basis.
Anil Vohra, president, Chandigarh Vyapar Mandal, while sharing his views at the interaction, said the beat system should be strengthened in markets and emphasis should be made on night patrolling.
The Chairman, Federation of Sectors Welfare Association Chandigarh (FOSWAC), Baljinder Singh Bittu, said the police beat staff system was not functional.
“Beat police staff should know about people living in the area. The police should think on preventing crime rather than forcing residents to install CCTV cameras after a crime is reported in a particular area”, he said.
Harjinder Kaur, Chairperson, CCPCR, said: “Chandigarh had a community policing programme earlier. The commission intends to re-introduce the concept of community policing to provide safe childhood to children in the city. A collaborative group, including the police, market welfare association, senior citizens, RWAs and activists will act as a watchdog for the area.”
Though the interaction in which the SSP was the chief guest was supposed to be held on community policing with the objective of child safety in Chandigarh, only a few spoke about the safety of children. The SSP also asked the participants to speak about safety of children through community policing. However, nobody among those who got the opportunity to speak, shared their views on the issue.
While there were participants from all walks of life, including professors, school, principals and social workers, only a handful of people got a chance to express their views on the subject. The interaction lasted for 45 minutes only.
Only a few spoke on child safety
Though the interaction in which SSP Jagdale Nilambari Vijay was the chief guest was supposed to be held on community policing with the objective of child safety in Chandigarh, only a few persons spoke about the safety of children. The SSP also asked the participants to speak about the safety of children through community policing. However, nobody among those who got the opportunity to speak, shared their views on the issue.
Child-friendly police station to be introduced
A model child-friendly police station will be introduced on a trial basis. Officers from various departments would contribute to make it child friendly, said UT SSP Jagdale Nilambari Vijay.
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