There is strength in numbers, and when it comes to fighting crime, there's no better way.
We got a fair idea when a police-public interactive session was organised recently at the National Law University campus, Delhi, to better understand the problems faced by residents. Representatives of RWAs, residents' social organisations and senior police officials all came togather to discuss problems related to soft crime, theft, drinking in the open, traffic-related issues, and drug and alcohol addiction in Dwarka societies.
"Community participation is a must for effective policing," said joint commissioner of Delhi Police, Dependra Pathak. "If the RWAs, common people and the police join hands, it will create the perfect crime-figthing system. We plan to organise regular interactive sessions with residents."
Gautam Kaul, a resident of Sector 5, Dwarka, raised issues related to security inside societies and DDA pockets in the sub-city. He suggested that beat constables and chowki in-charges organise weekly or fortnightly interactive sessions with residents to understand their grievances better. K Wahid, president of Kautilya Apartments, Sector 14, talked about encroachment on footpaths and public places. General secretary of the Metro View Apartments RWA pointed out traffic-rule violation and accidents caused as a result of rash driving and signal jumps.
Dwarka residents also drew attention of the police officials to antisocial activities in various neighbourhood parks after dusk. They requested the Joint CP to make the atmosphere friendly for women.
Pathak, on his part, assured residents of immediate action on all the issues. "Our personnel will meet society security guards to boost their morale," he said. "Such meetings will be organised on a regular basis at a local level. Those police officials who fail to provide support to the community will be punished."
