Alphas spread through city to check crimes

Law enforcers have ensured intensive patrolling within the limits of 13 police stations, writes R.Rajaram

Presence of the bike patrolling teams constituted to curb crimes will henceforth be felt throughout the city.

Recurring instances of crimes including chain snatching in different areas have prompted law enforcers to extend the teams to eight more city police stations .

Codenamed “Alpha”, the bike patrolling parties were initially constituted in five police stations – K.K. Nagar, E. Pudur, Cantonment, Woraiyur and Srirangam last year to check property offences.

By increasing the “Alpha” parties, law enforcers have ensured intensive patrolling within the limits of 13 police stations, barring the Court police station. The 14 police stations in the city come under Cantonment, Srirangam, Golden Rock and Fort Ranges.

Necessary resources have been created for the additional “Alpha” parties, each of which would constitute an in-charge officer and a bike rider. Motorcycles have been provided to the eight more “Alpha” teams to patrol in interior areas identified as crime-prone and vulnerable where four-wheelers cannot penetrate.

Select personnel who have crime knowledge have been handpicked to be part of the “Alpha” parties.

The additional teams have been created after studying the situational requirements, says the Commissioner of Police Shailesh Kumar Yadav.

Police personnel forming part of the “Alpha” parties would be equipped with walkie-talkie sets to receive and pass on information immediately. Deserted places, lean periods, and early hours when public go out for a morning walk, normally suit criminals to strike gullible targets and escape with the booty, say police sources.

Prevention of crimes on streets is the main objective behind forming these teams, says Mr.Shailesh Kumar Yadav adding that the measure is aimed at infusing confidence in the minds of the general public.

The very presence of “Alpha” parties would deter criminals from carrying out their illegal act, say the sources. The performance of bike patrolling team members would be periodically reviewed by the respective Inspector and by the Assistant Commissioner of Police. The overall supervision would be done by the Deputy Commissioner of Police.