DROP BOXES BRING DOWN CRIME BY 40% ….V Narayan
Anonymous Complaint Mechanism At Colleges,Residential Complexes In Ghatkopar-Mulund Yields Results
Anonymous Complaint Mechanism At Colleges,Residential Complexes In Ghatkopar-Mulund Yields Results
The 500 police complaint boxes installed in November 2010 at colleges,residential complexes and slums between Ghatkopar and Mulund have led to a 40% decrease in petty crime.
DCP (zone 7) Sanjay Shintre said that in particular,eve teasing on college premises and threats by local goons to residents of building complexes have come down.We placed the boxes in residential areas after an encouraging response at colleges and schools,where the main problems were ragging and eve teasing.
The complaint boxes help those who hesitate to approach police stations,fearing the hundreds of questions that cops ask while recording a complaint.Often,victims stay silent,unable to act against antisocial elements,especially those who flaunt political or police connections.
The complaints collected in the boxes are reviewed daily by two constables at all eight police stations in the Ghatkopar-Mulund belt.The complaints do not require the complainants name or signature;action is taken at once.Troublemakers are scared of being slapped at a public place.They dont want to get humiliated in front of people.This stops them from creating a nuisance, Shintre said.
The police came up with the idea of the boxes after interactions with locals,most of whom preferred an anonymous complaint mechanism,which they considered safe.We felt that having such boxes was the only way to eliminate fear from the hearts of victims.The boxes would enable them to lodge a complaint against antisocial elements while they would be secure in the knowledge that their names would not come out.
Interestingly,the police have found that goons have started removing the boxes.They sell each for Rs2-3, an officer said.They think that by doing so,their problems would be solved.But they are mistaken in their belief.
PUBLIC SERVICE
* The police installed 500 complaint boxes in November 2010 at colleges,residential complexes and slums in the Ghatkopar-Mulund belt
* The boxes offered anonymity to complainants,many of whom would have otherwise hesitated to approach police stations
* Among the antisocial activities that have come down are eve teasing and ragging in colleges,and threats by goons to residents of building complexes as well as slums
* The complaints include those pertaining to traffic congestion and parking lots
* The police say the complaints are reviewed daily at all eight police stations in the belt and action is immediate
– Troublemakers dont want to get humiliated in front of people.This stops them from creating a nuisance
Sanjay Shintre | DCP (ZONE 7)
– Complainants are subjected to harsh and rude treatment at police stations.So,complaint boxes are an ideal way for the police to look into the problems of ordinary people
Swati Ghaswala | GHATKOPAR
– The advantage of the complaint box is that the complainant remains anonymous.There has been a reduction in ragging and eve teasing in my college
Sweta Oak | MULUND COLLEGE OF COMMERCE
– The boxes have put fear in goons hearts.Still,many people are unaware about the police service.There should be proper publicity of the boxes
Sunish Kunju | BHANDUP
* POLICE MEASURE: The complaint box at the Mulund College of Commerce