In the wake of the recent attacks on several senior citizens in the city, Police Commissioner D Sivanandan has issued a circular directing all the police stations to come up with a list of precautionary measures to ensure the safety of elderly residents in the city. The commissioner has also given instructions to implement the guidelines within a time-frame.

Some of the instructions listed in the circular include the collection of a detailed information on elderly citizens as well as their neighbours and servants, awareness on the importance of CCTVs and biometric record system in housing socities and special attention to the security of senior citizens who are staying alone.

“Murders of nine senior citizens in the last six months is a very serious issue. We are doing our best to minimise such crimes in the city. Regular meetings with Deputy Commissioners of Police (DCPs) for accountability will also be held to tackle such crimes. I have also sent instructions to all senior police inspectors,” said Sivanandan. He admitted in the circular that the information on senior citizens gathered by the police stations in the city is incomplete.

According to Sivanandan, the monthly reports sent by the zonal deputy commissioners indicate that the data gathering process is being implemented. Senior citizens have been targetted by thieves and other miscreants owing to the lacunae in the process.

The circular has directed all police stations to nominate an officer specifically for undertaking the responsibility of senior citizens’ security. He would be expected to make detailed computerised lists of senior citizens in the station’s jurisdiction and the lists have to be sent to the DCP (Operations) by July 7. Zonal DCPs during their visits to the police stations are expected to review the implementation of the circular, comment on it and take action against personnel, who has not abided by it.

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