The resilience and resolve of the Mumbaikar arises from the failure of the political, bureaucratic and police systems in the city. The common citizen has been so deeply inured to administrative and political apathy that he/she instinctively turns to assist their fellow beings in times of crisis. The remedy for the city or the state is thus not far to seek. It lies in mobilising this public spirit for public safety. Civic education through a campaign similar to that launched by the Delhi Police may prove useful. Similarly, the police will have to adopt the famous Rudy Giuliani ‘Broken Windows’ policy towards crime. It helped to drastically reduce the crime rate in New York City during Giuliani’s tenure as mayor. It implies that every small report of crime has to be followed up diligently, just as a broken window in the house cannot be allowed to lie unattended.

The writer is a security analyst