Ahead of Deepavali, 18,000 police personnel deployed in Chennai to ensure safety of residents

GCP deploys 18K personnel to ensure safety/security of public during Deepavali shopping. Elaborate arrangements in place at commercial areas to control crowds, prevent crime, regulate traffic. 17 watch towers, 5 control rooms, 10 help desks, 42 CCTV cameras, drones, Face Recognition System app, WhatsApp group, X-Ray scanner vehicles, LED screens, PA systems to monitor/prevent crime. Special bus depots to facilitate public travel.

The Greater Chennai City Police (GCP) has deployed 18,000 police personnel to ensure the safety and security of the public, as shopping sprees increase with Deepavali approaching.

On the orders of Chennai Commissioner of Police Sandeep Rai Rathore, elaborate security arrangements are in place at commercial areas of the city where people are congregating in huge numbers. Special security arrangements have been made T. Nagar, Pondy Bazaar, Purasawalkam, Mylapore, Flower Bazaar, Washermenpet and Koyambedu. Security measures are in place to control crowds, for crime prevention and to regulate traffic to avoid congestion.

In a press release, Mr. Rathore said 18,000 police personnel have been deployed, including those from the law and order, crime and traffic wings, as well those from the Armed Reserve, Tamil Nadu Special Police (TSP) and Home Guards to ensure the safety and security of the public.

A total of 17 temporary watch towers have been set up at four places: T. Nagar, Washermenpet, Kilpauk and Flower Bazaar. Police personnel have been deployed on a rotational basis to monitor crowds through 21 binoculars. Five temporary police control rooms and 10 temporary help desks have also been set up in T. Nagar, Washermenpet, Purasawalkam and Flower Bazaar areas. An additional 42 CCTV cameras have been installed in T. Nagar and Washermenpet, through which events are being monitored live. Additionally, drone cameras are being deployed in T. Nagar and Flower Bazaar area to monitor crowds and prevent crime.

Monitoring CCTV cameras and tracking the movement of criminals are among the police’s duties, with arrangements also made to hand over lost children to their guardians.

To further thwart criminal activities, police personnel are being deployed, on a rotational basis, to check for known criminals through the Face Recognition System app. An exclusive WhatsApp group has also been created for police personnel to share information to prevent and deter crimes.