The Bengaluru Safe City Command Centre built under the Nirbhaya Fund, touted to be the first such for the city, was inaugurated by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah at the Bengaluru City Police Commissioner’s office here on Friday.
Mr. Siddaramaiah said that chain snatching, atrocities on women and murders are on the rise in Bengaluru, and to control such illegal activities, the centre should be properly utilized.
Mr. Siddaramaiah received a distress call from a woman from Banaswadi who had called to complain about a robbery. A staff member later attended the call, took the necessary details and assured to send the Hoysala team for further assistance within 7 minutes.
The total cost of the project is ₹661 crore, with an integrated support system, including critical care units at the hospital to meet any eventuality. Equipment have been purchased under the ‘Make in India’ initiative.
Around 7,500 high-tech cameras, which have been synchronised with the crime database of habitual offenders and the Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR), help not only monitor law and order but also help in better traffic management and gather inputs to predict future possible law and order situations. The police have also been provided body cameras under the safety project, said the Chief Minister.
Surveillance systems also include drone cameras and MCCC vehicle-based surveillance. Fifty safety islands will be provided for women, with emergency call buttons connected to the CCC. Furthermore, gender-sensitive and cross-cultural training modules will be provided to police and criminal justice officials.
Speaking at the programme, Mr. Siddaramaiah said the city is the fastest growing in the country, and people need safety and necessary protection. “The Hoysala patrolling system should be focussed on women who are alone at home and provide necessary protection and assistance. It’s a good development to set up a high-tech command centre. The city should actually become safe under the Safe City project,” he said.
The CM said that after the crime has occurred, it is one thing to nab the culprit and ensure punishment, but one has to prevent the crime from happening. and gave the example of the recent murder of the senior geologist from the Mines and Geology department. He said that the police must protect women and keep tight vigilance in their jurisdiction.
Chief Secretary Rajneesh Goel, Home Minister G. Parameshwara, Director General and Inspector General of Police, Alok Mohan and other senior police officials were present at the occasion.
