Seeking police assistance or alerting police to any illegal activity is just a phone call away for the people of the district, thanks to ‘Hello Police’, a round-the-clock public information system that was launched by Superintendent of Police Deshmukh Shekar Sanjay here on Sunday.
This system would enable the general public, especially the youth, to alert the police to any illegal and antisocial activities by calling or sending WhatsApp message to 86086 00100. The service would come into force from Monday, the SP said.
“This is an exercise to bring the public close to the police and reduce the gap between the two,” Mr. Deshmukh said. An exclusive control room had been set up at the police headquarters to receive calls and messages and depute police in the concerned police limits to reach the spot and quell trouble or redress public grievance, he said.
Those who alerted the police or lodged complaints need not fear about any kind of ‘harassment’ as they need not reveal their names, he said, adding the phone numbers of the complainants would be kept confidential with the police. Students and public could alert the police to any kind of issue, which they thought would lead to law and order problem, he said.
They could also alert the police to illegal sand mining, noise pollution caused by public address system with cone type speakers, theft or eve-teasing.
Two-wheelers with revolving light and siren had been provided to each of the 38 police stations in the district and two policemen were designated to attend the alerts made to Hello Police.
Faster reach
Soon after receiving the alert, the control room would alert the police station concerned and the policemen would reach the spot within 30 minutes.
There would be no slackness on the part of the police as they would have to report back to the control room on the action taken on every alert, he said.
‘The complainants would also be given feedback, Mr. Deshmukh added.
“The system will work round the clock 24x7” he said. Public could also send photos, audio and video clippings, using WhatsApp.
The public can alert the police by calling or sending WhatsApp message to
86086 00100
