In a step towards intensifying police patrolling in the city, especially in the peripheral areas, the city police will soon introduce a new fleet of jeeps.
Likely to be christened the Green Fleet, the vehicles will be inducted into the police fleet two weeks after their introduction. The move is aimed at strengthening surveillance in Ambattur, Avadi, Thiruverkadu, Madipakkam and other places in suburban limits.
As instances of crimes, mainly murders (especially those caused due to drunken brawls), have not seen a significant decline in Ambattur and adjoining areas, the police have planned to deploy additional teams in these locations.
Thefts and chain-snatchings, especially during day-time, take place here on a daily basis. Additional patrol teams could bring solace to residents and keep culprits at bay, the police say.
Last October, the brutal attack of a woman at her house in Thirumullaivoyal sent shockwaves through the neighbourhood. The local police station is located less than 200 metres from the victim’s house.
The case was recently cracked and three suspects were apprehended.
To their shock, the police found the trio was also involved in the murder of an elderly couple in 2012.
A police team attached to the Commissionerate is known to have charted out key locations in the suburbs, and also a few areas inside the core city, where the Green Patrol can be deployed effectively to curb crime.
Firemen seek
diving training
Firemen want the government to train them in deep-sea diving and provide them with diver suits.
“We could have retrieved the body from the Tirusulam quarry ourselves, if our staff was trained in diving,” says an official of the Tamil Nadu Fire and Rescue Services (TNFRS).
The TNFRS control room is often contacted to help people and animals who have fallen into ponds, lakes or wells.
“Most of the calls are from suburban areas, where the water is shallow. Our swimmers are able to save people with ease,” the official says. However, the same cannot be said of them in situations where deep-sea swimming or diving skills are required.
“The first agency to respond in case of an emergency in the sea is the Coast Guard. However, if we are also trained adequately, we could lend them a helping hand,” a firefighter suggests.
At present, deepwater diving training is provided only in Kochi, Kerala. “We need our own swimming pool. Currently, we are trained in a pool in Chromepet,” he says.
(Reporting by Petlee Peter and Vivek Narayanan)
