http://oheraldo.in/node/8991
Police new trick to track crime in sensitive areas BY Rakesh Y Kandolkar PANJIM, JAN 26 — With the number of church robberies increasing and with the police receiving constant warnings about a possible terrorist strike in Goa, the Goa police has evolved a unique method to track potential crime in sensitive areas. Taking a leaf from the mohalla committees that were formed in Mumbai, after the riots of 1992, the Goa Police have started local information bureaus, where residents of certain particular villages are designated as informers who regularly supply information about the happenings in the village. The reason behind setting up these local information bureaus is because of rising number of crimes especially in the slums, which have been identified, as potential hotbeds for thieves and trouble makers. In a bid to stop the trouble before it even begins, the police contacts their informants to catch the culprits. The police has developed a well established network of informants who are present in places such as bars, garages and in areas where there is a suspected person in the locality. Once the police receive the information from the informants, they verify it before taking any action and according to police sources, this is the best way to keep track on the inflow of migrant population. In addition, police source, also says that they are in touch with local Panchayats for getting better information. The reason behind forming these local information bureaus is because while the local police beats keep check on local crime moment, it is the shortage of staff that is causing problems. For the police the areas of concern are Indira Nagar, in Chimbel and with the robberies spreading to Old Goa and Ribander the police are not taking any chances. It is the absolute shortage of staff at Ribander that has forced the police department to take this step. The Ribandar outpost has one officer and 4 police constables to patrol, the Ribandar, Chimbel areas. Surprisingly Chimbel alone has population of more than 15000 residents. So the ratio becomes one police personnel for 3000 people. And this shortage of staff is being felt in some parts of south Goa, the citizens feel that the police administration should be equipped with adequate infrastructural facilitiesthe state government in order to make the task of detecting such cases easier. -- Salaam ali kum. Gabe Menezes. London, England