Since service lanes are less crowded and people are often seen in a relax mode in service lanes, therefore robbers take advantage of it.
Service lanes in Dwarka have become a crime spot as several crimes like chain snatching, mobile snatching and even car snatching have been reported from there. Recently, the mobile phone of a lady was snatched from the service lane of sector 3 near Astha Kunj apartments while she was talking on it. Many snatching incidents have happened near society gates in service lanes.
President of Ganpati Apartments, sector 9, KS Bhati said, “Since service lanes are less crowded and people are often seen in a relax mode in service lanes, therefore robbers take advantage of it. Most of the times robbers follow people on foot. Snatching often takes place in the morning and evening when people either go for a morning walk or return from the park in the evening. This is so because there is no police patrolling during that time."
In November 2018, a car was snatched at gunpoint in front of the society Beverly Park in sector 22. The incident raised the question on the safety and security in those service lanes which are in front of the societies in Dwarka. RWAs and managements of societies across the city said such types of crimes have been there since a long time in service lanes which are near societies. People said darkness in service lanes also give rise to such crimes.
In most of the sectors, service lanes have less traffic movement or no street lights increasing the chances of people to commit crimes. Mostly women are the targets of chain snatching. Residents say that incidences of chain snatching happen with women near the society's gate when they either buy vegetables or talk with someone. RK Singh a resident of sector 12 said, “In many cases, the victims did not lodge an FIR because of psychological fear. They were more concerned with peace in their lives rather than the loss of their belongings. However, I believe that victims should come forward and join hands with police to stop such crimes.”
RWAs and managements of the societies expressed that proper vigil from the police and proper lighting in the service lanes will be more effective in curbing such crimes. They said that patrolling is one of the effective measures to keep the service lanes safe. President of Sri Hari Apartments Sector 12, NC Mishra said, “Almost a year back, some miscreants attempted to snatch my wife's chain in front of my society. Somehow she escaped but later I realised that how unsafe are the stretches near the societies in Dwarka. The service lanes and also the main road in front of the societies are the places which are prone to such crimes. A properly planned patrolling could be more effective.”
On the suggestions of Dwarka District police for community policing and under Neighbourhood Watch Scheme, RWAs and managements of the societies have started installing CCTV cameras in service lanes. Many societies have already installed it. Footage from CCTV cameras helped in grabbing the criminals. Besides police is appealing RWAs to send their security guards for training and patrolling under Prahri Scheme of Delhi Police so that they could be more empowered to nab such people who commit crimes like snatching in the service lanes in front of the societies and near the society gates.
