To prevent crime and maintain law and order during the festive season, the Delhi Police have revived an earlier strategy. They have decided to set up integrated police pickets, a combination of three units — the Traffic Police, PCR (Police Control Room), and Local Police — to conduct checks and maintain vigilance at the same location simultaneously. A picket is a temporary police post set up with barricades at important spots in the city. The Traffic Police will handle violations of traffic rules, the PCR van will respond if a person tries to flee despite being signaled to stop, and the Local Police will take legal action at the police station concerned, if required on the spot. This is how the three units will work together in coordination, which may help in controlling crime in that area, an officer said. Delhi Police Commissioner Satish Golcha, in a recent meeting, directed that integrated police pickets be set up both during the day and at night on the streets ahead of Diwali and Chhath festivals. According to a senior police officer, integrated police pickets were regularly set up before 2020. However, they were discontinued over the past five years due to changes in patrolling and law enforcement strategies. “It has been observed that integrated checking and patrolling remain more effective in controlling crime in the area. While the initiative has been reintroduced during the festive season, it will continue in the future as well,” the officer said. During the festive season, when city roads are busy with people out shopping, rash riders and snatchers become more active. This setup will also help prevent such street crimes, the officer added. In view of the forthcoming festivities, the police have also intensified foot patrolling across the major markets and areas prone to congestion and gatherings. “The objective of the exercise is to instill a sense of confidence among the public through visible presence and community engagement. The enhanced visibility of the police also serves a deterrent to criminals and prevents crimes in crowded areas. Senior officers of the areas concerned are leading the patrolling groups,” an officer said. In addition to patrolling, Delhi Police is also taking several other safety measures including announcements through PA systems to alert public in high footfall areas, verification drives, enhanced interaction under eyes and ears scheme, sensitisation of private guards etc, the officer added. The police also urged citizens to cooperate with the police, remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity.
