Now, Madurai City police are only a touch-of-the-button away in times of distress. For, the police have launched different IT-based solutions for residents that could be used to make a suggestion using computers or send an SOS from a smart phone.
“We have a lot of traditional mechanism for the people to reach out, like the 100 (police control room phone number). But, in keeping with the changing times, we are introducing newer technology to which the younger generation are more used,” Commissioner of Police Shailesh Kumar Yadav said on Wednesday.
Mr. Yadav hopes to get more alerts from people about the happenings in the city so as to take preventive measures instead of troubling the police force to act after incidents of crime.
The portalwww.maduraicity police.comis an integrated portal that gives details about the city police and also links to various important sites such as Tamil Nadu Police website, CCTNS e-services, State and national missing persons’ databases. People can also access the phone numbers of various police stations and officials.
Android App
The application could be downloaded on the smart phones for similar services such as online complaints, traffic updates and SOS.
“At the touch of a button, people in distress can alert the police instantly. The police can track the location of the person through GPS and can also tail them if they are on the move,” he said. This, he said, would be an important feature in ensuring women’s safety, in preventing crimes such as domestic violence, rape and kidnap. The interface software configured on the number will ensure that all the inputs received on the Whatsapp number will be confidential and identity of the people will remain anonymous. “Only the information received from the people on local problems would be sent to the police officer or police station immediately and not the details of the complainant,” Mr. Yadav said.
People can also get similar services through the Facebook page of ‘Commissioner of Police Madurai city.’
Round-the-clock
The Crime Prevention Cell will be monitored round-the-clock with dedicated persons. Deputy Commissioners of Police Samant Rohan Rajendra (Law and Order; Traffic), G. Umaiyal (Crime) and Rajarajan (Headquarters) were present on the occasion.