With the help of social media and a select group of residents, the Jagjeevan Ram Nagar (J.J. Nagar) police are looking at new ways to maintain law and order in their communally sensitive jurisdiction.
As many as 690 residents — both men and women — have been accorded the status of ‘policemen without uniform’. On Saturday, senior police officers met the residents to brief them about their duties. Their primary job will be to help the police gather information about various neighbourhoods.
“This will help build a strong intelligence network. The selected group of residents will not only help the beat constable in their respective neighbourhoods, will but also act as the first point of contact in case of any eventuality,†said Lingaraju, inspector, J.J. Nagar police station.
J.J. Nagar is divided into 20 beats, with a constable assigned to each one. They are plainclothes policemen whose are assigned the job of gathering and passing on local intelligence to the officer in-charge. Each constable will work with a group of 30 residents who will be their eyes and ears, and report suspicious activities or untoward incidents.
The beat constable will serve as a nodal point of contact between local residents and the police station. Apart from being appraised about major developments in their jurisdiction, these men will also maintain a close relationship with local residents. “This helps to bridge the gap between police and public,†Mr. Lingaraju added.
“We have formed a WhatsApp group for each of the 20 beats with the constable as the admin for the group. Residents can post information and communicate with the constable directly,†said a senior police officer.
“This system has been launched for the first time in this locality. It will help provide quick service, as the constable will be held accountable for disturbances in his beat,†the officer said.
Residents are happy that the police are reaching out to them.
“I am happy to be a part of the local police beat. This will give me an opportunity to keep my family, neighbours and the area safe,†said Akram Mohammed, a resident.