After launching cycle policing and drone surveillance recently, Lucknow Police today launched the ‘citizen police connect programme’, which would enable people to register their complaints through WhatsApp messenger.
“We have started the ‘citizen police connect programme’ and connected all sub-inspector rank officers through WhatsApp number 9454401501. Through this number, people of the state capital can complain, report, suggest or update the police about any criminal incident in their areas through audio, video-clipping or images,” Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Yashasvi Yadav told reporters.
He said the police would swing into action as soon as any information related to crime, harassment of women, eve-teasing, traffic, law and order is received.
“I have given a 48-hour-deadline to redress the genuine cases coming through this platform,” the SSP said.
With an aim to connect more with people and generate confidence among them, police in the capital city had last month adopted the practice of cycle patrolling.
“We had introduced it in the city and are getting good response. It will surely give a sense of security to the common man,” Yashasvi said.
Police teams are now patrolling streets and small alleys, which were otherwise not covered, the city police chief said, adding, this system could also improve intelligence gathering.
The city police had also recently started surveillance through three drones with prices between Rs 3 to 12 lakhs, including an ‘octacopter’ which has eight cameras to take snaps and visuals from different angles.
It also has an inbuilt chamber in which pepper powder can be filled and released from the top to disperse unruly mob.
Under the police modernisation initiative, a modern control room that manages the ‘Dial 100’ helpline in the city, has already been set up.
This control room is also keeping an eye on movement of traffic through CCTV cameras, besides monitoring drones.
The new initiative, including WhatsApp messenger, will help police in getting relevant and timely information helping to nab those involved in illegal activities, Yashasvi said