With the rise in cases of robberies and snatchings in Juhu, police have asked residents to join them as 'police mitras' to create a sense of alertness. Cops said that 23 residents have volunteered to assist Juhu Police, wherein they will be following guidelines for their own safety while assisting cops.
Juhu Police started checking and patrolling points at nine locations in the wake of an alarming rise in street crime in the vicinity. Since Juhu has a large number of bylanes, with a number of celebrities residing there, it has become a challenge to station police personnel in the area to keep a watchful eye. This is why cops have given a shout out to anyone who can volunteer to become a Police Mitra and offer their assistance to the police for three hours, between 7pm and 10pm.
Shashikant Mane, senior police inspector of Juhu police station, said that he had earlier used this initiative at the police stations he was previously assigned at. “I had used this Police Mitra scheme at Sahar police station. It not only proved to be effective, but also gives them a sense of awareness. Residents are empowered with alertness and learn the know-how of preventing such cases. We will also honour and felicitate them. They will get T-shirts that indicate they are volunteering with the police."
A senior official said that there is no age bar in this initiative and anyone above the age of 18 years can contact the police station and enrol themselves in the drive. Till now, 23 people have registered, who will be given training and taught a few guidelines of conduct. These volunteers will help the police at checkpoints, but will always be with personnel and never alone, to stop the vehicle and check for documents.
These personnel will only assist the policemen and not act on themselves. Police only expect these volunteers to dedicate a couple of hours of their time for the work, after which a review will be taken. A similar Police Mitra group has been started by police inspector Rajendra Kane from Vile Parle police station, which actively helps the police personnel at checkpoints and plays a major role on big festive evenings.
