Security Concerns
A laptop was stolen from a car in Sector 30 after breaking the window pane and a bike was lifted from Sector 31 last month. There may or may not be other such incidents but one needs to be cautious. Many gates are present in sectors 30,31 and 36 owing to the large size of these Sectors which makes strict vigilance a tedious task. Secondly, there is a village Nithari adjacent to these Sectors. The criminals find easy access into and out of the Sector. The inhabitants of this village are mostly people working as domestic servants, drivers or service providers. They do not indulge in the crime but there is no way of keeping a check on the entry or exit of unwanted people from outside. Many gates in the Sector now remain closed to keep a check.
An elderly resident from a block had observed a few suspicious men often hanging around houses. On being asked, they would say that their bike had been stolen and they were looking for someone from the house could provide CCTV footage. One needs to be alert of such people. Also, care should be taken not to reveal important and confidential information even to trusted domestic maidservants. They might be honest but one has no way to be sure that this information is not being passed on involuntarily.
The RWA can take a few measures to ensure better safety and curb crime in the area. A Security coordination committee headed by an experienced person like ex-police personnel or ex defence personnel can be constituted. A need for effective coordination with the local police is a must. Putting up security-related signage that the area is under patrolling by guards or CCTV camera surveillance may often act as a deterrent to criminal activities.
A regular meeting with the residents to sensitise and encourage them to report suspicious activities should be taken up. Verification of all personnel regularly entering the premises including household employees viz. servants, maids, drivers, dhobis, vegetable, contract labour, and employees of firms providing Annual Maintenance Contracts (AMCs), dependents of servants, hawkers and so on by local police is a must. Issuing photo identity cards and maintaining a central record of all household employees at the RWA office is another step towards better safety and security.
The RWA needs to exert some pressure on the Police for rounding up known miscreants and questioning them about the spate of thefts and robberies. The RWA must brief the SSP and the DM on the targeted thefts in the sector and follow up on the progress of the cases. Also, the residents need to cooperate for a foolproof security.
Lastly, don’t shoot the messenger. Many people start complaining that such things should not be written about. But not writing will not put a stop to crime. In fact, the residents become more vigilant when are aware. “Savdhaan rahen satark rahen”.
