Senior citizens urge police to solve traffic issues

Mangaluru: As part of a people-friendly policing initiative, the Mangaluru city police organised an interaction with senior citizens at the School of Social Work, Roshni Nilaya, on Saturday.
Most of the senior citizens expressed concern about speeding vehicles, absence of signal lights, potholed roads, and unplanned development by frequently digging roads in several areas of the city, making it difficult for the senior citizens to move around. Many of them appreciated the efforts of the city police, as they have been provided with a platform to raise the issues bothering them. They wished that such meetings are held more frequently.
Alwyn D’Souza, a resident from Kankanady police limits, wished that the senior citizens would receive help in availing various government services. Another senior citizen hoped that police would reach out to lone senior citizens frequently. Unlike in the past, these days, police show respect when interacting with senior citizens, the participants said.
City police commissioner N Shashi Kumar said that soon the process of documenting the details of all senior citizens in the city limits will commence, and meetings will be held every month at the station level. He asked officials at the station level to identify genuine NGOs, so that they can help senior citizens by getting medicines, or providing ambulance services.
He asked ACP traffic sub-division Geetha D Kulkarni to investigate the traffic issues raised by the senior citizens. “Though most of the issues raised were not directly related to the police department, senior officers will make efforts to address them,” the commissioner said, adding that the city police will work towards their protection and welfare.
The commissioner also directed DCP crime and traffic B P Dinesh Kumar to organise a sensitisation programme for the police staff, on the law related to senior citizens.
Dr Juliet C J, principal, School of Social Work, Roshni Nilaya, said educational institutions must spread awareness, and students should also take up the responsibility, and avoid speeding. Bengaluru police had recently launched a similar initiative-‘Namma Hiriyaru’.