Shivamogga police tap social media to connect with people

Department opens WhatsApp, Facebook, Twitter accounts

The Police Department in Shivamogga district will make use of social network and messaging tools to establish a close interaction with the public.

The Shivamogga police have opened WhatsApp, Facebook and Twitter accounts, and announced a dedicated number — 9480803390 — to receive information from the public on WhatsApp.

Koushalendra Kumar, Superintendent of Police, told

The Hindu that the department had set up a social media technology cell to manage these activities. Two sub-inspectors and five administrative staff have been deputed to the cell.

Information on the department’s initiatives, and general alerts to the public to pre-empt crime will be shared on the social media platform. The department would also elicit suggestions from the public on issues related to law and order through social media sites. The public can provide information about crimes, road accidents, nuisance created by antisocial elements. The personnel at the cell would intimate the jurisdictional police to initiate action and address the problem.

The Facebook page of the department currently has 451 followers. The department was receiving information on violation of traffic rules by youths, nuisance created by miscreants near women’s hostels and related issues through the social media, he said. The department has worked out a detailed plan to reach out to more people in the coming days through the digital media. The department is planning to observe crime prevention month from December 1. This year, it has been planned to conduct a special awareness drive on the prevention of sexual harassment against women during the crime prevention month. The reports on the speeches delivered by experts over the issue, photographs and video clippings of programmes would be uploaded on the social media sites of the department to create awareness among the people in this regard, he said.