Make use of community policing scheme, citizens told

Spurt in number of serial burglaries

City residents should make use of the community policing scheme (Janamaithri Suraksha project), the police have said.

Citizens should inform beat officers when they go on vacations. Unoccupied houses are often soft targets, the police say. The alert was issued in the wake of a spurt in the number of serial burglaries in urban areas.

In the city, the services of beat officers, comprising a senior civil police officer and a woman civil police officer, will be available in 11 police stations. On receiving information, these officers will take steps to cover the area closely during patrolling. Senior citizens will be given special consideration under the already operational CARE project (Care, Aid, and Relief for Elders).

Currently, the service is available to residents of Kasaba, Panniyankara, Chemmangad, Nadakkavu, Marad, Kunnamangalam, Elathur, Chevayur, Medical College, Town, and Nallalam.

The police do not assure residents of full-time surveillance, the general vigil will be improved though the ‘alert mechanism.’

E.P. Prithviraj, Assistant Commissioner, District Crime Records Bureau, who heads the community policing scheme in the city, says the department will increase the number of beats in each police station limit to cover more areas and residents. “This year, we will launch the scheme in Beypore station too,” he says.

At present, the city has over 60 beats under the 11 stations.

“The officers are supposed to make house visits at least once a week to review beat activities,” Mr. Prithviraj says.

As per police records, there are 62, 584 houses within the limit of the 11 police stations. People may contact the beat officers directly at the respective stations or the Assistant Commissioner on 94979 90108.