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Mixed response to bicycle patrolling

SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT, Chennai Connect, July 2, 2016

After a gap of many years, on Thursday, a policeman hopped onto the bicycle given to the department for patrolling the narrow lanes in Aynavaram and surrounding areas. A little later, he returned with a muscle strain in his leg.

Though Chief Minister Jayalalithaa flagged of 250 bicycles fitted with LED lamps, to Greater Chennai police on Thursday, there has been mixed response from the police. While some say it will be beneficial, others say it is not going to be of any help in catching culprits.

“Earlier the cycles were useful to nab thieves who used to roam around on foot. Now they are using high-end bikes. By the time we pedal, he would have left the area,” said a police constable. They also feel cycling will tire the policemen.

‘Tiresome task’

“One policeman has to cycle around and sign 30 patta books in the sector allotted to him. There are over 90 patta books under one station which is divided into three sectors. Due to staff shortage, most policemen are overworked and cycling around will tire them further,” said another constable.

Meanwhile there are few who feel that the cycle will not only provide a good exercise, but also works as an additional layer of patrolling. “When a policeman patrols in small lanes, especially in North Chennai, it is easy for him to drive the anti-social elements into wider spaces, where other policemen on bikes or in jeeps can nab them easily,” said a police officer. Besides, cycle patrolling can also improve intelligence gathering. “They can interact with residents and know about newcomers to the locality,” he added.

Residents feel that cycle patrolling will also help in visible policing. “Policemen can gauge the situation properly while pedalling as compared to whizzing past on a bike,” said V. Rajagopal, a resident of Anna Nagar.

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