Community Policing

1. Smt.V.Sheela, Panampilly Nagar, KVRA
          If prepaid auto service is divided into short trips and long trips, there will not be any reluctance from the auto drivers when short trips are called – A pedestrian cross should be installed at Manorama junction – There is traffic congestion at Atlantis – Kizavana road  since the Panampilly nagar Cemetery railway gate is closed for repair for a long time – If the vehicles coming from the Vytilla side towards Manorama junction keeps single lane, the vehicles can easily turn left side at Manorama junction and hence the traffic block from South overbridge to Kadavanthra junction can be avoided.
Action taken by CI, Tr. West – When prepaid auto system is rearranged this proposal will be considered. Strict action is being taken against autos who are not coming for short trips.
Since there is way under the south overbridge for pedestrians to cross road, installing pedestrian cross at Manorama junction will increase traffic accidents.
Letter will be soon send to Railway authorities for reopening the railway gate.
Since there heavy traffic flow towards Manorama junction, making single lane traffic will increase traffic block.  Concerned police officers have been given instructions to make way for left turning vehicles at Manorama junction.

2. Secretary Thrikkakara Souhiridanagar RA, Vazhakkala
          At Vahakkala junction a Zebra line should be made for pedestrian crossing,  the service of a policeman should also be made there. – At Vazhakkala junction there is a shop selling Cement and Iron, from where their weighing balance protrudes on the road causing obstruction to vehicles coming from cross road there by causing traffic accidents.

Action taken by CI, Tr. East – Panchayat authorities have been intimated for putting  Zebra lines. A Sub inspector has been posted in the area.
The shop owner has been given instruction to remove the traffic obstruction causing weighing balance.

3. Secretary Amrithakudiram RA, Ambalamedu

          At Amrithakudiram functioning under Mata Amrithananda Mayi Ashram Ganja sellers and thieves are residing.  Since the Ashram authorities are not taking any action against them it is requested to take necessary steps against this in consultation with the Ashram authorities.
It is also requested to conduct awareness classes for the ladies to prevent the quarrelling among the ladies in this area.
Action taken by CI, Hillpalace –SI, Ambalamedu conducted an enquiry in the matter and informed that at present there is no ganja seller or thieves residing there. In future if there is any such instance strict action will be taken against them.
Awareness classes for ladies in the area will be conducted on 05.06.07 in consultation with the RA authorities and Legal advisor of Ashramam Avdt. Sreekumar.

4. Secretary, Fernandes Garden RA, Fort Kochi
          At Mattanchery, Fort Kochi area the ganja, drug, fake currency notes gangs and goondas with knives are moving freely in daylight.  Also RA member Alosiyus was murdered by these goondas.  Request to take necessary action in the matter.
Action taken by CI, Fort Kochi & CI Mtry – The murder of Alosiyus was due to labour dispute. It is not true that these gangs are operating freely in this area. There is strong bandobust of police including police patrolling and pickets  in this area. Strict action is being taken against drug mafias in Mattanchery circle. Eleven cases have been registered in Mattanchery circle in this regard.   

5. Sri.P.V.Joseph, Thaikoodam South RA        
          A traffic police man should be posted at Thaikoodam NH road for pedestrian crossing at peak hours since the construction activities of Tunnel for road crossing have been stopped.
Action taken by CI Traffic East – No incidents of accident have been reported there, but special attention is always therein this area.

6. Sri.Chandramohan, Sangamam RA, Palluruthy 
          Since parking of Vehicles are done on footpath from PMSC Bank to Kumbalangi Vazhi junction at Palluruthy, causing problems to pedestrians,  a  “No parking board” should be installed there.
Action taken by CI, Traffic West -   No Parking board have been there.

7. Sri. Harish Kumar, Muttathil Lane, RWA, Kadavanthra
          Since it is difficult to cross the road at the junction turning towards Muttathil Lane road a sign board should be installed for controlling speed.
Action taken by CI, Traffic East – Action is being taken to installed sign board for controlling speed.

8. Sri. N.Chellappan Pillai, Aysha road, RA, Ponnurunni      
          Since container lorries are parked at Aysha road and Bye pass side, pedestrians and small vehicles find it difficult to travel.
Action taken by CI, Tr. East – Strict action is being taken against unauthorized parking.

9.  Secretary, West Chullikkal RA, Chullikkal
          Near Chullikkal Church unauthorized parking, repairing of lorries causing traffic obstruction and unloading of building material spread  across the road are causing accident to motor cycles and pedestrians.
Action taken by CI, Tr. West – The unauthorized parking in the area is being regulated by regular patrolling.  The road blocks caused by unloading of building materials on the road are also being regulated.

 10. Sri. E.S.Vishwambaran, Secretary, Ambelipadam RA, Vyttila
          The footpath in Vyttila area is occupied by wayside sellers causing problems to pedestrians.
Action taken by CI Tr, East – Since it is a labour problem, action can be taken with the co-operation of Labour union leaders and Co-operation authorities.

11. Secretary Kombara RWA
          At market road, Panthara Kavala, North side of Komabra junction, the heavy vehicles of Balaji Transport are parked causing traffic obstructions.
Action taken by CI, Tr. West – Notice have been issued to Balaji Transport for not to park their vehicles causing traffic obstruction. Sector 2 officer have been given instruction to conduct patrolling in this area.

12. Sri. Johnson Joseph, AC SRA, Kaloor
          Parking should be banned in font of Kallor St. Antony’s Church. Vehicle should be diverted through SRM, LFC, Deshabimani and Azad roads at rush hours.
Action taken by CI, Tr. East – Parking is not allowed at Model Road i.e from Palarivattom to High Court. Action is taken against any unauthorized parking in this area. Vehicles are not diverted through these bye-roads since it causes route confusion for many of the drivers causing  traffic obstruction.

13. Sri.Kurivilla Mathews, Vyshali – Thammanam link road RA
Night patrolling in Thammanam labour colony road should be intensified and parking in this road should be banned.
Action taken by CI, E.T. North – Day beat and night beat is being carried out in this road.  Action is being taken to avoid traffic obstruction due to parking.

14. Sri. Sajeevan, Mannarakkara road RA, Ponnurunni
             At Vyttila junction the Vyttila – Vyttila circular bus are not stop at the exact bus stops. Also the Cinema Screen model display board at Vyttila junction is causing vision problem for drivers at night.
Action taken by CI, Tr. East – Instructions have been given for stopping of buses at exact bus stop. 
Notice have been given to the Outlook Communications Pvt. Ltd who are the proprietors of the display board and they have given reply justifying the installation of display board.

15. Sri. M.P.Sebastian, PRE SI RA, Mtry.
          Frequent accidents are happening at the turning road towards Kombara Mukku,  Jain Temple junction, Gujarati road.
Action taken by CI, Tr. West – Regular patrolling is being done in this area for reducing accidents in this area.  At present there is no accidents in this area.

16. Sri. T.A.Varghese, Madapattu road East End RA                
          Bus Stops should be allowed to long route buses coming from eastern side at Chakkaraparambu and Medical Centre bus stops.
Action taken by CI, Tr. East – RTA is the authorized person to taken necessary action in this matter.

17. Sri. P.Sankara Narayanan, Muttara, Poonithura
           The service of a traffic policemen should be made available at Accident prone area, Petta junction from 8 am to 8 pm.
Action taken by CI, Tr. East – Almost on all days traffic policemen is posted in this area.

18. Secretary, Bhagat Singh, South Zone RA
          At Major, Bhagat Singh, Delstar, St.James, Janatha roads where  Bengalis and Tamilians are residing near road side, vacant areas and buildings, youths are using drugs.
Recently no such cases have been reported among them in this area. Enquiry is being done whether these persons are engaged in these activities.

19. P.M.Xavier, Fort Kochi
          The buses plying towards Fort kochi area are not stopping at junctions instead of bus stops.
Action taken by CI, Tr. West – Strict instructions have been given for stopping of buses at exact bus stops.  It is also ensured that buses are stopping at exact bus stops.

20. Sri.Lohidakshan R, Ponothu Road RA, Kaloor
          Two wheeler traffic should be allowed through the foot path of south over bridge.  The footpath encroachments by wayside sellers should be stopped. The building owners in city are making the parking area as shops and giving it on rent.
Action taken by CI, Tr. East and West – Two wheeler traffic is not possible through the foot path of South over bridge. The footpath encroachment are being evacuated and action is being taken against them.  Letter has been sent to Co-orperation authorities for taking necessary action in this regard.

21. Sri. J. Solomon, Thamarakulam road, RWA Fort Kochi
          At Kamalakadavu the footpath have been encroached by the antisocial elements  and wayside sellers and at night  time public consumption of Alcohol and drugs are taking place.
Action taken by CI, Fort Kochi – On 28.05.07 and 29.05.07 illegal encroachment was evacuated.  Local police along with Tourist police are conducting patrolling here.

22. Secretary Holy Cross Nagar RA, Nazarth Kochi
          There are no doors for private buses and the employees of the bus are not wearing uniforms and seat should be reserved for senior citizen in private buses. – A new bus route should be allowed from Fort Kochi Veli  though Jubille junction , Pandikudy Statue junction.
Action taken by CI Tr. West – RTO has informed that there is no law for making door compulsory for city private buses.
All bus conducters have been given instructions to ensure that senior citizens are given seat.
Request should be given to RTA for allowing new bus route.

23. Advt. P.R.Damodharan, Pallinada West RA, Palarivattom
          At Pallinada, Palarivattom the auto Drivers are not putting meters, and are overcharging the commuters.
          Action taken by CI, Tr. East – No complaint in this regard have been received so far.  Action will be taken in this regard as and when complaints are received.

24. Sri.Vasudevan Kavil, BMC RRA, Edapally
          During power cut  time theft cases are happening in BMC, Edapally area.
Action taken by CI, Kalamassery – Patrolling have been intensified in the area.  Letter has been sent to Asst. Executive Engineer, KSEB for erecting street lights in the area.

25. Secretary, BMC RRA, Edapally
          At Edapally High School Bus stop, buses are stopping in front of Thrikkovil Temple instead of actual bus stop. – At Kaloor, near Mathrubumi junction wayside sellers are obstructing pedestrians.
Action taken by CI, Tr. East – Instructions have been given for stopping of buses at the exact bus stops. Action is being taken against the violators. The co-operation of passengers are also needed in this matter.
The co-operation of co-operation authorities are required for eviction of foot path sellers.

26. Secretary South Kaloor  RA,
          At Renewal Centre, Azad road, programmes are conducted exceeding sound limits even at night 11 pm causing sound pollution.
Action taken by CI, North – Instruction have been given to the authorities of Renewal Centre for conducting programmes using mike only upto 9.30 pm as per the sound pollution rules. 

1. Sri.C.K.Harshan, Franklin Gardens RA, Kuttikattukara

The private service buses which are plying in Guruvayur Eranakulam route often violating the route through Varappuzha which is causing difficulty to passengers. Hence a punching system should be established in Eloor.
Action taken by CI Traffic East – Necessary action will be taken after enquiring into this matter .  

28. Sri.K.M.Husain, President, RA, Kochin Meglala Committee
          Pickpocketing and related attacks are  increasing in private buses.
Action taken by all CIs – To prevent this Mufti Police have been posted in private buses and bus stops.  Several pickpocketers were arrested by mufti police and they were later remanded.  SHOs have been instructed to give more attention on this matter.

29.   V.Subramanyan, Masjid road RA
          At Deshabimani Road near Muslim Masjid foot paths have been encroached by wayside sellers, causing problems to pedestrians.  – At Karukapilly road sale of Drugs is going on.  No action is seen taken against a drug peddler who was caught and handed over to police by the public.
          Action taken by CI North – Regular day and night patrolling is done in this area.  The incident was at Thrivarna road, at Kalamassery Police station limit.   When the police party arrived there the person was not in a condition so as to be taken into custody and hence he was not taken into custody.

30. K.A.Francis, Mahatma Gandhi RA, Edapally North 
          The Edapally Cross bar at Railway gate is danger.  Action should be taken to repair it urgently.
          Action taken by CI, North – A police men have been posted at Edapally railway gate for duty from Cheranaloor Police Station. – The work of Railway overbridge is progressing.

31.Sri.P.T.Francis, Kairali Street, RA, Kaloor
          STOP sign and U-Turn marks should be marked at Zebra lines. City Buses and bus shelters should be given numbers and a limited stop city buses service should be started. It will be usefull if Buses are given green colour with an 25 % bus charge. Buses should stop only at exact bus stops. Action should be taken against Left side overtaking. Policemen should be posted infront of Educational institutions. Traffic Awareness classes should be conducted. Bus bays should be constructed. 
Action taken by CI Tr. East and West – Strict instructions have been given to taken action against buses not stopping at exact bus stops and left side overtaking.   
Traffic awareness classes are being conducted.  The bus stops coming in the opposite directions have been extended to 50 meters.  The service of traffic police men is made available during school time.  The RTO and Corporation authorities have been addressed on all other suggestions.

32. Sri.S.Balakrishnan, Padavathu Nagar RWA , Maradu
          The traffic congestion in MG road can be controlled by developing and making the market road from Madhava Pharmacy junction to Hospital road one way from South to North.  – Action should be taken against erring buses drivers and the statistics of these cases should be presented at PRIDE meeting.  The dust piled near the medians should be cleared.
Action taken by CI, Tr. West – In the present stage if the market road is made one way it will result in the congestion of traffic in other roads.  Since during day time the entry of Heavy vehicles are banned the present two way roads need not be changed to one way.  The narrow roads in this area have been made oneway.  Strict action is being taken against erring bus drivers.  In the Month of May the traffic related cases registered are (  (279 IPC – 33 cases, 185 MV Act - 139 cases and various other related cases 4729 petty cases). The corporation authorities have been intimated regarding the removal of sand near medians.  
                                                                  

Commissioner of Police,
                                                                             Kochi City

          Policing in India, due to its colonial legacy, has primarily restricted itself to a autocratic style of functioning wherein the functions of the police were primarily negative, aimed at catching criminals and to exercise fear among the citizens, so as to prevent crime. But over the years this outlook, has evolved a definite change and this has now been accelerated by the economic development and social change taking place in the country. The government and the citizens alike, have understood the role of the police as agents or facilitators of economic development and social emancipation. Within the Government machinery also, the realization has come that the police needs to change its stance, of working in isolation to one of working with the society or in popular terms ”bringing policing to the doorsteps of the people”. The concept of Community policing then appealed as an official policy of the Government. The other factors that further contributed to the introduction of such a policy, includes the paucity of the strength of the police vis a vis the increasing responsibilities, the need to change the image of the police as a servant of the society, to tap the services of the members of the public for crime prevention and detection, as all these form a part of the social responsibility of all the citizens.

          The concept of community policing is not new to the State. Many police leaders, time and time again, on their individual initiatives had introduced this concept in their areas of jurisdiction. Many of these schemes had a considerable amount of success also. But once the leaders changed the programme also was put to the backburner. With these lessons, and after a lot of study and consultation at the Government level with all the stakeholders and the various political leaders, the Government introduced The Janamaitri scheme – A community policing Scheme, as a police policy of the Government.

     Objectives:

1. Prevention of Crimes
2. Furthering co-operation and mutual understanding between Police and the Community
3. Furthering Security-related mutual co-operation among Citizenry

      Click here for more details

          Kochi City Police have planned a five-step strategy to make Kochi roads safer for commuters and pedestrians, taking a serious note of the rash and negligent driving by private bus drivers in the city. As a preliminary measure, bus shelters will be relocated, so that they will stay clear off the road.  At present, the shelters protrude on to road at many places, with the result that buses parked cause traffic hold ups.  Focus will be on rectifying faults in road engineering.  Bus shelters will be cut into pavements and they will be designed like an umbrella, so that they occupy minimum space, while providing adequate shade to people waiting for buses.  The shelters would be numbered so that the buses which stopped at those bearing odd numbers did not stop at those with even numbers.  The aim is to limit the number of buses at a stop at given time.  Bus bays will be demarcated, so that buses are not parked haphazardly.

          On the enforcement part, the driving license of errant drivers will be suspended for a fortnight and the driver caught for committing the offence a third time risked his license being cancelled.

          The bus drivers will be given psychological training and taught good driving skills in classes held every three months.  An interaction is also planned with people injured in accidents involving private buses and family members of those who were killed in accidents caused by rash and careless driving.  The bus drivers will be made aware of the trauma of accident victims and families. Only then will we be able to drive home the point that rash driving changes forever, the life of the injured and those who lost their dear ones.

        “Navodayam” meaning a New Dawn is the Anti Drug Campaign organized by  Kochi City Police, was launched on 31st May at Fort Kochi – The World Anti-Tobacco Day. 

         The programme started with an Anti Drug Run  in which participants included celebrities Prithiviraj, Kavya Madhavan, Krishna and officers and other personnels from Navy, Police and many other walks of life. The inauguration of sending 20 Lakhs “Anti Drug SMS Messages ” was done by Sri. Prithiviraj, famous Cine actor. The inaugural ceremony was marked by a symbolic gesture of blasting off a dragon figure and releasing a child trapped under its foot by Indian cricketer S.Sreesanth, India’s premier pace bowler. 

         The inauguration of toll free number 9846455500 for public to pass on information  regarding selling, transportation and using of narcotics to police was inaugurated by Smt. Kavya Madhavan, the leading cine actress. This toll-free number will be available with the Assistant Commissioner, Narcotic Cell, Kochi City.  The releasing of Anti Drug awareness CD was done by Sri. Krishna, cine actor.

         The education part of the programme began with a full-day exhibition narrating the harmful side of drug abuse at the inaugural venue. Photographs and posters collected from across the State were exhibited. There was also a seminar, a slide presentation and distribution of pamphlets bringing out all hazards related to drug abuse.

The programme involves 3 major steps.

• Drug Enforcement       - Involving police raids, collection of Intelligence.
• Anti Drug Awareness - Classes in school, Seminars, Pamphlets, Exhibitions, Photos and Posters, Anti Drug Runs, Mobile SMS
• Rehabilitation               - De-addiction of victims at 5 centers in Kochi City

          Our motto of the campaign is to kill the evil of drug and also to save the drug victim and eradicate Narcotics from the youth and thus to build a “ Drug free city of Cochin “.
          The emphasis will be to cut down the sale of narcotic drugs, collecting information about drug-peddlers at the local level have been started. The cooperation from residents associations, Rotary and other agencies are being sought in this programme.
            City Police is treating this as a social issue, which requires more than just policing. So a detail programme for rehabilitation of drug victims is a part of the drive. Five centres across the city have been identified for the rehabilitation of such people.

       Hon’ble Home Minister Sri.Kodiyeri Balakrishnan inaugurated Subhayatra'07 - one-day traffic carnival organised by Kochi City Police on 10.04.2007 at Marine Drive, Kochi City.  Subhayatra '07 is the beginning of an intensive traffic awareness drive to impart the message of safe driving habit and to streamline traffic in Kochi City through small engineering innovations.

      A Hot Air Baloon display marked the start of  Subhayatra - 2007

      There was a parade of police uniforms – starting from that of body guards   of erstwhile Kings of  Travancore State to the Policemen of modern period. The parade had a brief commentary on its historical evolution. Representing the constabulary, there were uniforms of constables and head constables from the Seventies — men marching out of period films in starched cottons and shoes.

      Painting competitions, quiz and talk shows were organised for children for helping the children evolve themselves as good drivers. Awards were given to Best Traffic Constable, Best Hospital that handled accident cases during 2006 and best agencies involved in traffic management.

      The carnival organised a competition for the Best Driver in Kochi City.  A Free medical camp was also held. A demonstration of lane traffic was organised as a part of the carnival.

      Free pollution checks and free topping up of engine oils for all vehicles that came to the carnival were conducted. Various exhibitions on the police force and traffic safety equipments were a part of the show.

      The road show was also organised for creating public awareness on road safety.

      Representatives of agencies like Ernakulam Merchants Union, representatives of autorickshaw drivers and bus operators attended the carnival.

Ravada A Chandrashekar IPS (DIG, Ekm Range) speaks about Community Policing

     Kochi City Police organised BOUQUET OF MEMORIES, A Day to Remember Accident Victims, a commemoration parade followed by three rounds of fire, at Kadavantra. Classes were given to school students at the traffic watchtower in Vytilla junction.

     The children carried the messages, written on placards, to motorists waiting for the traffic signal at Vytilla. Sri. Manoj Abraham IPS, Kochi City Police Commissioner inaugurated the event.

     The commemoration parade at Kadavanthra had been organised to jolt the conscience of Kochiites and make them spare a moment to think about those who lost their lives in road accidents.

     Following this, similar events will be held at Palarivattom, Edapally and other major junctions. The aim is to create awareness of the need to end the bloodbath on roads, since Kerala has the highest accident rate in the country.

     Sri.K.V. Thomas, MLA, and District Collector Sri. A.P.M. Mohammed Hanish IAS laid wreaths at the temporary memorial erected at the Greater Cochin Development Authority Square.

     The programmes have been organised as part of `Subhayathra', the traffic awareness programme of the City Police. The City Police are planning to make Bouquet of Memories an annual event for a sustained awareness campaign on sane and safe traffic.

     Relatives of those who were killed in accidents added poignancy to the moment. Floral tributes and solemn lighting of candles marked the ceremony.

Floral tributes and solemn lighting of candles at Bouquet of Memories