A year to remember for the city sentinels

The year 2014 is a memorable phase for the city police. Not just the police commissionerate turning 25, silver jubilee year of its inception, but also got a bounty in terms of development to ensure orderliness and streamlining of traffic in the burgeoning city.

On November 22, the police commissionerate completed 25 years of its existence. A special parade was taken out at the City Armed Reserve (CAR) Police Grounds as a mark of celebration. Likewise, there are many reasons for the city police to cherish. Police Commissioner M A Saleem summed up the year in one sentence ‘professionally very satisfying year’.

The Police department in Mysuru got a major share, with Chief Minister Siddaramaiah launching developmental works worth Rs 113 crore. It includes the new office complex for the police commissioner, CAR police complex, improving basic infrastructural facilities among others. It was followed by the ambitious Mysuru traffic improvement project (M-Trac) at an estimated cost of Rs 40 crore.

In order to ease the burden on the existing force, two more traffic police stations — V V Puram and Siddhartha Nagar — were opened with 158 men sanctioned for the new set up. Besides, CAR force was sanctioned an additional of 176 men (head constable and constable cadres), one ACP (DySP cadre) officer for the city police control room and additional seven posts for city crime branch (CCB).

For women

Considering the need to help women in danger, in the wake of rising crimes against womenfolk, Chamundi Vanita Sahaya Vani (women’s helpline) was launched, by rolling out two separate patrolling vehicles. It was supplemented by 50 boxes at prominent locations to enable women to drop letters about their grievances.

Traffic front

On the traffic front, especially in nailing violators, the public also got a window to help the police. An initiative called ‘Public Eye’ was launched, providing a chance to the public to upload photos on violation of traffic rules, on the official website of the city police.

To rein in autorickshaw drivers, in the interest of passenger safety, drivers’ display card system was introduced, followed by making of seat-belts mandatory for car drivers.

Prepaid auto counters

Four more pre-paid auto counters were commissioned (Railway Station, Varaha Gate of Palace, Zoo and Infosys), and traffic signal lights were installed at five more junctions — Hardinge Circle, KSRTC rural bus stand junction, Akashvani Circle, Kurbarahalli Circle and Kumbar Koppal Circle.

Another significant step was the launch of ‘Suraksha’, under which details of tenants will be collected with the landlord’s help, followed by establishment of police canteen, rifle association, campaign against high-beam lights, counselling of rowdy-sheeters and modus operandi bureau (MOB) listed offenders.