Madurai City Police have formed WhatsApp groups by including members of representatives of residents welfare associations, autorickshaw drivers, shopkeepers, in 100 wards of the city to get alerts on important law and order and crime issues.
“We have included local village administrative officers, anganwandi workers, corporation and public works officers along with residents, automobile mechanics, ATM security personnel, lodge managers and local VIPs,” Commissioner of Police J. Loganathan told reporters after formally inaugurating the facility.
Besides, Inspectors of Police and Sub-Inspectors of Police of the stations concerned, a beat police personnel meant for the ward, would be included in the WhatsApp group. “We expect the group members to alert the police on anti-social elements. With the WhatsApp messaging service, people will find it easy to connect with the police officials. And it would be time-saving also as the police would be able to act swiftly,” Mr. Loganathan said.
An early alert would help the police either to prevent any crime or untoward incident or at least detect the crime at the earliest.
Besides the Station House Officers, a nodal officer at the City Police Office would monitor the functioning of the WhatsApp group. “Action taken on alerts given by the people would be posted. We hope to get a good response from the people as they will be encouraged to see immediate action on their alerts,” the Commissioner said.
People need not post sensitive information in the WhatsApp group but send them as private message to the admin of the group. He said the alerts given in the group would be kept confidential.
Published - September 04, 2024 07:39 pm IST
