We need to get back to good old preventive policing

When a murder occurs, the immediate reaction is to recollect all past murders, which may give one the feeling that there is a cause for concern. Let us also understand that a number of senior citizens are living alone, and many prefer to stay alone. On their part, police have created helplines. They have put in a system of communication. They have asked people to share information with the police if they are living alone; if they are going abroad or on a vacation, leaving their house locked. Residents have been asked to approach police when they engage a house-help or a driver, and to run background checks. There are also location-specific initiatives where police routinely check on old people living alone. In the past, we used to conduct a monthly, Seniors’ Day event where police would actively engage with residents and ensure the channels of communication were open. We need to actively revive those initiatives. 

Police have done what they could, but I agree there is no limit to what the police can do. It is also a fact  that once people feel they are safe, they tend to be less vigilant. One’s guard is down and one tends to trust everyone implicitly. People should abide by rules. They should not fall into complacency and tell themselves, “This will not happen to me.” People should stay in touch with relatives, friends and neighbours on a regular basis. 

Safety is a collective thing and police have a huge responsibility to ensure safety, maintain law and order and do everything in their power to protect life and property There has been a lot of effort to curb drunken  driving. The drive to ensure safe ride has resulted in better results with regard to two-wheeler riders wearing helmets. The one thing that can be done by the police is to go back to preventive policing. There was a time when the yellow patrol would be out in the morning and the blue patrol would swing into action in the evening. 

Now, we have the bicycle patrol as well, to cover the nook and cranny. There was a time when night patrolling began at 11 pm and police conducted on-the- spot checks, of people on foot, in vehicles etc, in localities. Persons who raised the antenna of suspicion in cops were questioned. Today, there are CCTV cameras, technology is quite bankable. But there is no substitute for a trained policeman’s intuitiveness. So, let’s revive good-old policing. 

However, let us not forget that due to various other factors police have been constantly busy, night and day, without any let-up for the last few months. It is a proud moment for all of us that Chennai is still one of the best and safest cities. — The writer is Mylapore MLA and former Director General of Police