E-Paper
24*7 surveillance brings down crimes
Six months after DLF City Phase 5 was put under surveillance cameras, crimes such as eve-teasing, chain snatching and bike lifting have come down substantially.
Six months after DLF City Phase 5 was put under surveillance cameras, crimes such as eve-teasing, chain snatching and bike lifting have come down substantially.
Besides, the coloniser has deployed quick response teams (QRTs) to curb encroachment by hawkers and streamline traffic. These teams consisting armed security guards have been successful in preventing accidents. However, the residents feel more measures need to be taken to make the area free from crimes as at least three cases of bike snatching have been reported in the last two months.
Nine pan-tilt-zoom and eight fixed CCTV cameras were installed in January at prominent locations in the area spread over 950 acres. Recently, a major fire was averted at Magnolia apartments after smoke was detected by the control room and fire brigade was timely informed.
The stretch from Genpact Crossing to Paras Hospital, which had witnessed high incidence of eve-teasing, has also been secured due to the help of surveillance system. "The cameras act as a deterrent as the offenders fear being caught," said DS Malik of DLF.
Many accident victims also got a new lease of life as they could be admitted to the hospital without much delay, he said.
While the residents and commuters in the area have benefited, the city police have not yet taken a cue. Maheshwar Dayal, DCP (east), who met DLF officials over the surveillance system, said the initiative could be replicated by other developers too. He, however, suggested more prominent display boards declaring 'the area under CCTV surveillance' should be put up.
