Thiruvananthapuram: Policemen might need a warrant to search houses but in the state’s capital, they have started to visit houses just to say hello and note down residents’ details. Thiruvananthapuram city police commissioner P. Prakash has directed that every beat police officer introduce them to families while on the visit and suggested that families have direct contact with beat officers for passing information and addressing their grievances. The efforts that were part of Janamaithry community policing efforts also aim at giving special attention to elderly person who live alone.
The beat officers will visit every house and record the details of residents on data sheets. The respective station house officers (SHO) will go through data sheets thoroughly to become well-versed with the residents. Every officer from assistant commissioner will be part of the effort. “This drive will continue until every house in capital city has been covered,” Mr Prakash said. “If families go out of city during times like Onam, they can directly tell the beat officer who will ensure that the houses are put under his watch.” Until now, the Janamaithry efforts in most police station involved co-ordination with residence associations than individual families.
“Ever since the RFID scanners have replaced ‘patta registers’, beat police officers has started to swipe cards at certain walls and leave,” said Kishore Vishwam an activist based at Ambalathara. “This had reduced the verbal communication. We hope new efforts will refresh the personal touch.” Though it’s not their declared goal, the officials hope to improve their intelligence about drug peddlers, illegal migrants and absconding criminals from other districts with the help of the residents.
