Federation of Residents Welfare Associations of Sector 9 Dwarka (FORWAS) has begun a well-meaning initiative to educate residents in housing complexes on the presence of anti-social elements in parks, especially after dark.
On Sunday, FORWAS launched a WhatsApp group of representatives of different RWAs, which in turn would spread messages they received among the respective members of their associations.
The decision to start an awareness campaign on the anti-social elements was taken after a few men were found drinking and gambling late on Saturday evening in a park in Sector 3.
FORWAS president and president of Ganpati Apartments, Advocate KS Bhati, said, “Last night, some unsocial activity was observed in Park No 3 by our member. When I came to know about it, I immediately informed the police. Police rushed to the spot and caught them. After giving warning and taking promise for not repetition of such activity, they allowed to leave the park at 9 pm.”
After this incident came to light, FORWAS has asked its members to circulate the message to the visitors to be more watchful overs such activities in the region. FORWAS also wants to rope in the administration and police in this initiative.
“We want this area to be safe and so we are making efforts as a resident group. The city’s parks are affected with such activities like open drinking, gambling and other anti-social activities, which cannot be allowed,” said general secretary of FORWAS, MK Singh.
Poor lighting in parks and dark corners encourages anti-social elements, said FORWAS treasurer and a resident of Paradise Apartments, Sector 9, YR Arya. “The lights are along the walking tracks, which is not sufficient. The roads surrounding the parks are also poorly lit. The civic bodies should provide better lighting to check anti-social activities in the parks in the cover of darkness, Arya said.
FORWAS has also circulated the phone number of the beat constable to the residents and the social groups through WhatsApp with a request that they inform the police about any suspicious activity, Arya added.