‘Almost every household is planning for a holiday away from the heat, hustle and bustle of Bengaluru. But while they are away, who will keep an eye out for burglars?’ — This is not from the minutes of a residential body meeting, but one of several short awareness messages being circulated by the Whitefield police.
In an effort to reduce burglary and theft when residents are on a holiday, such messages are being shared in Whitefield and Mahadevapura as part of the police’s Neighbourhood Watch programme.
Police are asking residents to inform jurisdictional police station about their travel plans and share the phone numbers of maid servants and security guards. “We can then increase patrolling near these houses and also ask members of Neighbourhood Watch groups to keep an eye on these houses. Phone numbers are being sought to coordinate with the maids and security guards,” said an officer. “Burglars visit the locality in the day posing as marketing agents or vendors. A pile of newspapers is a clear indication of the owners not being at home,” said an officer attached to Whitefield police station.
The messages advise residents to keep their jewels and cash in bank lockers, and ask neighbours or relatives to pick up newspapers every day. “Police officers are part of many WhatsApp groups in the locality. They send such messages to educate residents. It serves as a bridge between the police and residents,” said Anupama Kilaru, who leads Neighbourhood Watch in Whitefield Rising.
According to Nitya Ramakrishna, one of the founding members of Whitefield Rising, the WhatsApp groups also help residents interact with the police regarding any crime and law and order problem.
A senior police officer said that this programme is tailor-made for localities like Whitefield. “This is because the usage of social media is high in these localities and people don’t mind sharing some personal information and travel plans. In other localities, we carry out physical verification and meet residents,” he said.
