Kannur cops play ball, bring down local crimes

Kannur: Introducing playgrounds in your area is a better way to promote health. But the people and police of Chakkarakkal, Kannur, have found it even promotes good behaviour which has translated into low crime rates in the police station limit.Coincidentally, in the last four months, eight new playgrounds, including football and volleyball courts were set up by the youngsters in the area, one of them just below the police station.

Chakkarakkal police station was included in the list because there were maximum number of crimes recorded, including country-bomb making and public drinking. However, according to the December statistics, only four IPC cases were registered in the station, says station house officer SI P. Biju.

“The idea of playgrounds started with a raid almost three months ago, in Kacheriparamaba, near Mundur. Nearly six youngsters were taken into custody with liquor bottles from a club. I locked the room and came back. After a few days, they approached me for the keys and I promised that I would return it, if they set up a playground in the area. In four days, they set up one, and invited me to inaugurate it,” said Mr Biju.

He added that the ground had floodlights and was active from 5.30 pm to 10pm and the team that practiced in one of the grounds lifted the district shuttle tournament trophy. At the ground below the police station, they keep the light on till 10pm, provided the residents in the area allow, said the SI.

Apart from the playgrounds, the cops also set up a library for the locals and especially youngsters caught in drugs cases. “We lend them books for free and ask them to write a word of praise. Mostly, children aged between 15 and 20 are caught in ganja cases. More than punishment, we made them aware of the damage it creates and gave them vegetable seeds to grow in their kitchen garden. The children were asked to send the progress of their growth to my WhatsApp number,” said Mr Biju.