Cops brace up for NY revelry in city

The force would be split into 35 patrol teams to be posted at more than 400 temporary checkposts on New year’s Eve. The focus would be Marina and Elliot’s beach and roads leading to Kamarajar Salai and Besant Nagar to curb drag racing by youngsters on their two-wheelers, the police said.

Women police squads will also be deployed to tend to the women expected to gather on New Year’s Eve. Apart from the police strength, watchtowers are also being erected at Marina Beach to monitor the crowd with the help of binoculars. CCTV cameras and drones are also expected to be used for better surveillance.

Pubs and night clubs in the city that organise special events for New Year celebrations have been asked to allow guests only after examining their identity and also to keep an ID card with the management as a precautionary step.

Like every year, hotels have been advised not to keep celebrations near swimming pools. Also, farmhouses on ECR are under scanner for possible drug peddling. With an increased number of CCTV cameras across the city, the police hope that it would act as a deterrent to anti-social elements.

Apart from the police, the Health Department will keep ambulances ready at different points in case of emergencies and fire and rescue services, too, has been asked to be prepared in case of an untoward incident.

It may be recalled that despite the best efforts of the Greater Chennai Police, as many as eight people died in different accidents across the city last year. At least 90 people were treated as outpatients for injuries.