In a show of unity, the residents of Gomathipuram Thendral Nagar in the city came together and took a pledge to prevent crimes and not to give any chance to thieves in their locality.
Sharing the grievances and experiences of those who had lost their valuables in the past, they proposed a number of measures to discourage law offenders.
In a meeting presided over by the police officers from Anna Nagar, Karuppayoorani and Silaiman limits here on Sunday, the residents’ welfare association members expressed their views and pointed at certain lapses on the police side.
After an hour-long interaction, they decided to alert police control room during emergencies.
While the police asked the women to avoid drawing kolams in front of their houses before sunrise, the residents said they would not leave their valuables near windows or keep almirah keys visible. The residents were told not to get lured by strangers who offered attractive rentals, but to cross check their antecedents before accepting them as tenants.
The police officers advised the residents to inform neighbours before leaving home. Locked houses were targeted by burglars and in most of the cases, the neighbours feigned ignorance, they said. The neighbours could alert the police if the heard any unusual sound in the house when they knew about the inmates’ absence.
The police suggested installation of CCTV cameras at vantage points in Gomathipuram Thendral Nagar, and the residents agreed to examine the feasibility.
