Open house: What steps should be taken by police to check crime and make residents feel safe and secure?

Act against policemen for negligence, laxity
To check the crime, the police have to be proactive. If theft cases are on the rise, then the police should investigate. If the officers of that area fail to do anything, then the government should take strict action against them and shift the SHO or other police officers concerned of that area . By doing so, police officers will be made accountable. These days, policemen wait and watch which is wrong. If oppression and robberies are to end in Punjab, then the government should first take strict action against those police officers who fail to act because as long as policemen are not upright , oppression and robberies will continue. One of the major causes for theft and drug addiction is unemployment. Robberies and drug addiction are on the rise due to unemployment. This creates disappointment and disillusionment with the system. Government employees work mostly on facilitation charges and the country cannot progress with this. The government should take strict action against giving and taking of bribe. If the government acts against policemen for inaction and also against bribe-takers, then India will be able to take one more step towards becoming a developed country.
Mehakpreet Kaur

Deploy competent police officers
To control robberies, theft and extortion in the city, the foremost step that the police should take is to increase deployment of honest officials in the city. As such type of crime is mainly committed at night, so there is dire need for night patrolling by police. Secondly, awareness must be created amongst police employees by showing them old records of criminals having committed these crimes so that they can nab the absconding culprits. As these crimes have become a routine affair in our city, so a centre needs to be opened where training in self-defence can be given to residents. Last, but not the least, effective wide-range CCTV cameras need to be installed throughout the city so that the police can identify and nab culprits thereafter.
Sanjay Chawla

Intensify patrolling, use CCTVs to keep tab
Police patrolling should be regular and undertaken round the clock. New CCTV cameras should be installed at sensitive places. If any criminal is caught by the police or with the help of the public, the police should not take it lightly; they should inquire from culprits about the incidents that happened on the previous days. The state government should provide everything the police demand to control crime. After providing adequate manpower and vehicles, the state government can tell the police force what it wants: zero crime in every area under every police station. If they fail to control crime in their areas, the police officers should be transferred far away from their homes. Promotions should be stopped. Only honest police officers who bring down the crime rate in their areas should be given rewards and promotions. The state government should take strict action against dishonest and negligent police officials because the people of villagers are living in terror. Robbery, theft, snatching and use of intoxicants are increasing day by day. Snatching of purses, mobiles and two-wheelers are going on in broad daylight.
Sucha Singh Sagar

Joblessness major reason for crime
Unemployment is the biggest reason for increasing robbery incidents in our country. Nearly 40 per cent commit theft and robbery due to lack of work. One of the biggest reasons for theft is drugs, because addicts are unable to spare money to buy drugs. The police also have a hand in the constant increase in robbery incidents, because they have a duty to be informed about all developments in their area. Even if the police catch a thief, they release him soon after. The government should create as many jobs as possible so that the youth can be engaged in a constructive way and do not take to the path of crime. Most theft cases take place in banks, so .the government should have CCTV cameras and gunmen in every bank to prevent such crime. In the age of Kali, problems are not expected to end but may definitely decrease if right steps are taken.
Subhkarman Kaur Randhawa

Form neighbourhood watch groups
Ensuring the safety and security of residents require cooperation between law enforcement agencies and the community. To achieve this, both sides can take some practical steps such as: fostering neighbourly bonds in the community to offer mutual assistance during emergencies and understanding each other's needs. Organising activities like frequent walks or play dates can help build such connections. Additionally, forming Neighbourhood Watch Groups to monitor and report suspicious activities, establishing a calling tree for mutual communication and utilising neighbourhood Safety Apps to share security information can be effective measures. Installing home security systems including alarms, CCTV cameras, motion sensors, ensuring proper lighting around properties, especially entrances and pathways, and closing windows with blinds at night can deter potential burglars. It can also be fruitful to exercise caution while travelling away without sharing your travel plans with someone. The municipal authorities should ensure well-lit streets and common areas while community vigilance can help prevent crime by promptly reporting any suspicious activity to the police. On the law enforcement side, initiatives such as increased police patrolling, strategic checkpoints and expanded CCTV coverage can be beneficial. For strict enforcement of the law, the police department should be insulated from political interference for its smooth professional functioning. Disciplinary action should be taken against erring policemen. Addressing the root causes of criminality, prompting gender equality and providing self-defence training to women are also an important aspect. Exemplary punishment for criminals and speedy justice for the affected can only be ensured with cooperation between the police and judicial enforcement system.
Kulwant Singh Phull

Ensure rule of law to check petty crime
Numerous incidents of arson, theft and robbery reported everyday are a cause of big worry. Contrary to the government's claims that crime situation is under control, frequent cases of chain-snatching, road rage and looting speak volumes about the deteriorating law and order situation in the state. Shocking indeed is the recent incident of daylight robbery at a famous chemist shop located in the busiest market of Jalandhar, which reflects a miserable state of affairs. It appears that thieves and anti-social elements have no fear of police and law enforcing agencies. Apparently, it calls for a thorough introspection of the strategies and mechanism adopted by the administration to check terror and criminal activities. The faith of the people is currently shaken and it is time to take revolutionary steps to ensure the safety and security of residents. No matter what assurances are given by the political masters, police patrolling has to be intensified continually so that their presence is noticed everywhere. The increased use of electronic devices is also vital for facilitating close monitoring. Further, while the security personnel must be given a free hand to maintain the rule of law effectively, they should also be held accountable squarely for lapses, warranting stringent action for lax surveillance in their command area. Under all circumstances, law and order being the basic essence for orderly conduct of societal peace, has to be ensured, leaving no room for coercion or indiscipline, whatsoever. However, the public at large is also required to assist the administration in cracking down on the miscreants for fear-free living and prosperity of citizens all around.
Nirmaljit Singh Chatrath

Biometric system at police stations
Crime rate is consistently rising and nobody is safe today. With science and technology making strides, criminals are using scientific techniques and even the police are baffled by their techniques. Criminals are not punished, but let off after just a small punishment. It gives them encouragement to do more because there is no fear. Crimes are mostly committed for money and drugs. Unemployment, poverty, rampant consumption of alcohol and drugs are mainly the factors for crime incidents. Education and employment can reduce crime. 24-hour surveillance by the neighbourhood and police is must. We should be watchful about the activities in our neighbourhood. There should be biometric system in all police stations, if a person is caught twice or more, harsher punishment should be given. Fear of law is must. Crime destroys a civilised society and stops growth. Crime is inevitable but needs to be kept at minimum level.
Shashi Kiran

Shift personnel from PAP to police divisions
Where there's a will, there's a way.
CCTV cameras have been installed in most areas and chowks in the city. Apart from this, the residents have also installed CCTV cameras to keep a check on anti-social elements near their residences and in commercial areas. The Department of Home Affairs is under the Chief Minister. The need of time is to post police constables from PAP (Punjab Armed Police) to various police divisions in the city so that round-the-clock vigil can be kept on anti-social activities. Check-posts should be set up at sensitive points, specially at entry and exit points so that they can keep strict vigil on
anti-social elements and create an atmosphere of confidence among the residents who are under mental stress due to incidents of robbery, theft and extortion. Though our police force is capable of handling untoward incidents
-- they have the distinction of curbing militancy and restoring law and order and peace in Punjab in the past -- services of paramilitary forces can also be sought by deputing them at sensitive points.
Rajat Kumar Mohindru

Instil fear of law to maintain order
Unabated incidents of petty crime in the city are a matter of great concern for the public and the police administration as well. The maintenance of law and order is a foremost parameter for judging the success of any government at any point of time and thus must be given due priority. The reasons for failure of law and order machinery are manifold and there are numerous short-term and long-term measures to check the trend and improve the policing. But it is generally observed that fear of law is not prevalent among the criminals and there is no persistent and efficient deterrence of criminal justice delivery system for potential wrong-doers. For this, corruption and inefficiency in the working of the police at the public interaction level have to be eliminated. Secondly, justice delivery system and investigation mechanism for petty criminals needs to be streamlined with the primary objective of making it rapid and fair.
Jagdish Chander

Question for next week

When it comes to Olympics, India still has a long distance to cover to increase its medal tally. Punjab has always been a nursery for sportspersons and is known for producing many Olympians. What should be done to nurture talent in the state so that youth can bring more medals for the country.

Suggestions in not more than 200 words can be sent to amritsardesk@tribunemail.com by Thursday (August 8)