Recently, the city police instructed every police stations to set up a WhatsApp group that would include representatives of various sections of the public under its jurisdiction.
According to police officials, the police-public interface on WhatsApp is a step towards virtual policing, where complaints can be filed without much time being wasted and action can be taken quickly.
Barely a month-old, these WhatsApp groups have membership ranging from around 70 to 100. Many police stations are said to be on a drive to identify and enrol more residents welfare associations in their WhatsApp groups. Officials of J10 police station at Semencherry are finding themselves being invited to gated communities on Rajiv Gandhi Salai to explain to residents the benefits of being part of its WhatsApp group.
“Every Sunday, we meet with one residents’ association and welcome more members to join the Whatsapp group,” said Vasanth Raja, sub-inspector (law and order), J10 station, which has 40 people in its group.
Similarly, K. Murugesan, Inspector (Law and Order) and the admin of V3 PS Citizens Group, visits various residents’ welfare associations to explain the “dos and don’ts” of the group.
At J8 police station, Neelankarai, officials have merged the WhatsApp group started for the benefit of senior citizens with the one where educational institutions, hospitals and resident welfare associations (RWA) are represented. The group currently has 110 members, and the admin makes it a point to post a new message in the group every day.
Saravanan, Inspector of Police, G7 Chetpet Police Station, identifies members through references and by word of mouth.
“I started the group with a few contacts in the neighbourhood. Through these contacts, I have not only added members from four residents’ associations but also social activists. Now, I am in the process of reaching out to more localities in Chetpet,” says Saravanan.
(With inputs from Liffy Thomas)
