New patrol vehicles, control room for extended hours

Preparing for the extended deadline for eateries and establishments serving liquor, the men in khaki have streamlined crucial areas of policing over the last two months. Control room facilities and social media platforms have been upgraded, 222 new Hoysala patrol vehicles inducted and response time for crimes reduced, informs the City Police Commissioner, N S Megharikh.

These initiatives, Megharikh is sure, will check any type of crime that might arise in the future. Besides, the traffic police have constituted special squads to check drunken driving cases. The police will adopt zero tolerance for drunk driving, be it men or women and act sternly against unruly behaviour. The focus areas will be Halasuru Gate, Ashok Nagar, High Grounds, Sadashivangar, MG Road, Brigade Road, Koramangala and Whiltefield.

Although it has been a hard task for the city police to adjust to the new rules, they will be implemented effectively. Due importance will be given to the safety and security of the citizenry during the extended hours.

There could be a dip in crime rate since there will be movement of men and vehicles till 1 am.  The police, according to the commissioner, will mainly focus on the Central Business District (CBD) where a large number of liquor outlets and eating joints are located.

Additional Commissioner of Police (West), K S R Charan Reddy feels it will not be difficult for police inspectors to adjust to the new situation. The inspectors have already been tuned to handle similar situations on Fridays and Saturdays ever since the weekend timings were extended till 1 am two years ago.

Reddy says the inspectors had been directed to ensure additional patrolling in those areas where liquor outlets are open till 1 am.

Getting into the factors that led to the deadline extension, Additional Commissioner of Police (Traffic), R Hithendra talks about the hundreds of passengers who arrive and depart past midnight at the Kempegowda International Airport (KIA).

Senior police officials are convinced that the changed deadlines will put an end to corruption and harassment. The police have received many complaints by owners of liquor joints accusing local police personnel of harassing them and indulging in corruption. The number of such complaints had dipped on Fridays and Saturdays as they could open till 1 am. By extending the deadline even on weekdays, a further dip in such complaints is anticipated, say the officials.