Bridging gaps: DHA community policing project kicks off

CSI will make it easier for residents to report crime

KARACHI: The volume and complexity of crime has greatly changed, leaving the capacity of the police force insufficient. The answer to this problem is, perhaps, community policing — a phenomenon that has been in practice in other places too.

Speaking at the launch of the Community Service Initiative (CSI), a joint venture of DHA residents and the police, on Tuesday, South DIG Jamil Ahmed hailed the initiative as a win-win for both the sides. He also thanked the residents for pooling in resources, adding that it was not possible for the police to keep asking the government for increased funding.

The initiative, according to CSI founding member Syed Raied Arshad, aims to bridge the gap between people and the police as well as to facilitate the reporting of crime. "Our target is to minimise the trust deficit between both the sides," he explained.

As part of the venture, facilitation centres will be set up at police stations, where volunteers will help people through the registration process. In addition, the residents and the police will work together in terms of using face-sketching software, repairing existing surveillance cameras and enhancing the patrolling capacity with new motorcycles.

CSI's Haris Waheed disclosed that the initiative will be divided into five phases, starting with the Gizri police station and expanding to the Defence, Boat Basin, Clifton and Darakhshan police stations. "We will deal with crimes such as mugging, robbery, harassment and domestic disputes," he explained, adding that murder and terrorism will not be part of their domain.

Karachi AIG Ghulam Qadir Thebo pointed out that community policing was also being practiced in Korangi and Bahadurabad. "Ransom cases are now negligible in these areas," he claimed. "We must sustain this and spread it to other localities too." He added that a special Madadgar force with new vehicles was also being introduced.

While the CSI will not be accepting donations in cash, it needs bulletproof jackets, motorcycles, air conditioners and volunteers, who will be required to provide two hours of their time each week.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 18^th, 2015.