Mumbai police walk extra mile, keep fat, crime at bay

N GANESH

MUMBAI, JANUARY 7: As the sun sets on the congested township of Ulhasnagar, policemen of all ranks gear up for a unique exercise which not only helps prevent crime, but also doubles up as a fitness routine.

In an interesting departure from the established practice where patrolling is usually done in a police van, policemen do not use a vehicle here — they patrol on foot.

The team patrols the area that falls under their police station with the route being selected randomly and often at the last minute. But the team leaves behind it a police station manned by an officer, a constable and all the vehicles.

‘‘The team, usually consisting of an inspector, a crime inspector, a sub-inspector and four or five constables armed with a wireless set, speak to citizens, frisk suspicious characters, clear vehicular obstructions and most importantly maintain police presence on the streets,’’ said Deputy Commissioner of Police (Zone IV) Dyaneshwar Phadtare.

The foot patrolling in Ulhasnagar, Ambernath and Badlapur, initiated by Phadtare, started two months ago.

His name figures in the list of policemen who will be receiving the President’s medal for exemplary service on Republic Day. The exercise is already reaping dividends with the number of dacoities under the Ulhasnagar jurisdiction considerably brought down.

‘‘If criminals become aware that the police may turn up any moment, they will think twice before committing the crime,’’ said Phadtare. The exercise is taken so seriously that the DCP himself monitors the movement of the patrol team of the six police stations and often verifies their position by making a telephone call to any citizen who ought to have spotted the team walking by.

The Indian Express joined Phadtare and the patrol team from Ambernath police station on their patrol and saw the effect that the team had on the citizens. As soon as they spotted the police, autorickshaw drivers queued up, making it easier for pedestrians to walk.

Street stall owners beat a hasty retreat while hawkers took up positions on the side of the road. ‘‘The exercise has also brought down the incidence of eve-teasing,’’ Phadtare said.

During the patrol, Phatdare noticed a stretch of road devoid of street-lights. He asked an inspector to notify the civic body about it. ‘‘Dark alleys attract criminals,’’ he said.

One inspector was heard jocularly remarking that his trousers were slackening around the waist. ‘‘Fitness is an added benefit. Our men are used to sitting idle at the station the all day and they get out of shape,’’ Phadtare said.