City cops find ways to make you their eyes and ears

Police say they are trying to get people involved in keeping their neighbourhoods secure

Delhi Police say they realise the importance of community policing – getting local people involved in keeping their neighbourhoods safe. Some police stations are even supposed to be open for inspection by local people.

Examples of this police-people `partnership’ are the Neighbourhood Watch Scheme, Eyes and Ears Scheme and interactions with senior citizens.

Local community leaders are selected by the residents and they interact with the beat staff to manage these schemes.

“Policing’s boundaries are defined by law, but it should not mean that there is no scope for innovation and experimentation. In fact, out of the box solutions within law must be encouraged,” says Neera Semwal, a member of Sarojini Nagar H-Block Residents Welfare Association.

She has been participating in meetings with police and says that a number of ideas have emerged during these interactions. 

Police is upbeat about the Eyes and Ears scheme. The idea is to involve the public in information gathering.

Cops say they have been getting a good response with “lakhs of people” taking part in meetings with police.

“We encourage people to help us by giving information about criminals and criminal activities, and to be aware of crimes in their particular areas,” says a constable posted as beat staff at central Delhi’s Paharganj police station.

Under the scheme, policemen brief people about wanted criminals, and ask them to stay alert about suspicious people. Delhi Police spokesperson Rajan Bhagat says a number of cases have been solved with their help.

“This scheme is running on big scale in all the police districts and we receive a lot of information from the people,” he says.

Apart from members of residents welfare associations, those who are part of the schemes include street vendors, rickshaw-pullers, barbers, parking lot attendants, security guards at private and government organisations, drivers, cyber cafe owners, property dealers, second-hand car dealers, guesthouse owners and porters.

“This way, the people of the street also stay in touch with police. Their identities are kept secret,” the constable adds.

Rewards
Delhi Police also felicitates and rewards people with Rs 10,000 each for helping nab criminals.
Last week, a man named Rajesh Saini was rewarded for apprehending a man who was trying to rape a minor girl in a Maruti Swift DZire car. Rajesh had raised an alarm and overpowered the man.

A girl named Aditi was also rewarded for helping apprehend a snatcher named Pappu Rathore. He had waylaid a foreign national and snatched her bag.

When she resisted, Aditi went ahead to help her. Soon, two policemen on beat patrol also rushed to the spot and caught Pappu.

Beat staff are also required to be involved in registration of senior citizens and initiatives launched for their safety. Apart from senior citizens living alone, citizens left alone at home as their children go out for work for long hours are also registered with police.

They also receive safety tips from police through bulk SMS service.
“We visit some of the senior citizens every day, during which we carry out security inspections. It is also checked if antecedents of domestic helps are verified,” a head constable with Paharganj police station adds. 

Senior citizens are also contacted over the phone and provided identity cards with their name, address, registration number, contact number in case of emergency, blood group and health problems.

“It is part of measures taken to enhance their safety and security. We help them in case of their personal problems and encourage regular social interaction in the neighbourhood,” Rajan Bhagat says. A senior citizens security cell operates from police headquarters.  

A senior citizen registered with police, however, tells Deccan Herald that the visits are not as regular as he would want them to be.

“Yes, it is true that they do call and offer help but it’s only once in a fortnight or once in a week. I often feel alone and unsafe. I do understand that policemen are burdened with their duty, so I would not blame them,” says Narendra Mishra, a resident of Patparganj.
“I would just say that they are available if I seek their help,” he added.