DCP combines health and policing to tackle super spreaders

Nagpur: Zonal DCP Lohit Matani has devised a pattern of intense foot patrolling and occasional route marches in congested lanes and slums in the evening hours for dispersing crowds as a guard against super spreaders to enforce Covid restrictions.
This action from Matani comes at a crucial junction as the society is witnessing the gradual ebbing of the second wave along with the administration’s preparation to tackle the next one.
Based on the novel concept of combining health and policing in the run up to deal with the next Covid challenge, Matani has ensured that officers of six police stations of central Nagpur engage in the foot patrolling or street policing exercises, including him, covering around 10-12 kms in a span of around three hours daily.
“With intense foot patrolling, we can harness the positive effects of walking briskly apart from taking action against goons, checking Covid violators and also instilling faith in the public,” said Matani who patrolled the criminal-infested Naik talao and Pachpaoli localities on Sunday. “While Covid violators rectify themselves and goons feel the heat, cops also become fitter and stronger by walking briskly,” he said.
“Every day, officers of six police stations under me ensure that 3,000-3,500 loiterers are checked, warned and sent back home with a warning,” said the IPS officer.
Matani had been also simultaneously cracking down on goons during patrolling when he and his team managed to land up at their doorsteps before conducting ‘house searches’. The officer has also arrested several goons from their houses during such searches and seized weapons too.
During the multi-pronged action, there had been crackdowns on anti-social activities too like gambling, bootlegging and narcotics peddling. “We patrolled dingy lanes and by-lanes of Mominpura and adjoining localities coming down heavily on goons and anti-social elements. Police have been ensuring that the crowd thronging parks, grounds and other public places in the evening leave at once,” said Matani.
The IPS officer also said police presence acts as a deterrence against criminals preparing to commit a crime.