Govt must involve local communities to reinvent anti-burglary strategies
Last week saw a spurt in house-breaking and burglary cases, with several reported from different parts of the state. Perhaps Bardez taluka saw the maximum, with thieves striking in Parra, Colvale, Tivim, Socorro, Porvorim, etc. In South Goa, Vasco, Canacona, Margao and Nuvem were targets.
Such crimes not only leave residents of that area worried but also that of the surrounding villages. The elderly, who live alone, question their safety. Recent cases show that even apartments are not spared.
Even as culprits hoodwink them with impunity, police will maintain that they are not expected to keep guard outside everyone’s house. True. They cannot be omnipresent. However, they must inspire an element of fear among criminals, which doesn’t seem to be the case. Last year, we saw goondas flexing their muscles so much that the government was compelled to invoke the National Security Act. It’s another matter that the government was criticised at the national level for using the new law to curb goondaism and dacoities, as if the law enforcers were unable to tackle crimes on their own. Investigations have shown that the culprits do their homework and strike at ease. And then they do it so coolly that they are not in a hurry to flee from the houses they target: they drink from the refrigerators and even eat if they find something of their choice. This shows that they are not scared of being caught.
Last year, a couple of dacoities brought shame to the police, as they could hardly crack them. In one case, they blamed a Bangladeshi gang, which is easy, especially when you have no clue about the culprit.
This year, in the very first month, we have had so many cases of burglaries and some attempted ones. In a few cases, the thieves were arrested. In one or two cases, they decamped with CCTV cameras, leaving behind no clue. The government-run CCTV surveillance system has been under the scanner several times. Just like traffic signal breakdowns, the CCTV systems installed at certain places have come under a cloud over their functioning. They mainly help in regulating traffic. Shouldn’t such CCTVs be installed in more places so as to deter those intending to commit robberies? Unfortunately, what Goa has seen is that, whether it is corruption or some other factors, working of the government-run video surveillance systems is inefficient. It is important that the government identifies new areas for such a system.
Goa has a huge population of those in the 70-plus age bracket. Those living alone, especially, are at risk of being targeted by burglars. The state has the responsibility to provide a safe environment for its citizens. We have been hearing of community policing for many years. In some police stations, on the initiative of PIs, the beat policemen have been active in some areas, on and off, interacting with senior citizens. Shouldn’t it be done at the state level as a matter of policy? In addition to night patrolling, there should be some strategies in place to outdo burglars. The police cannot work in isolation. There must be a concerted effort to work in tandem with community leaders, civic bodies, social workers, volunteers, etc. Only then will people be able to live in peace and we may succeed, to some extent, in keeping the burglars at bay.
