Police chief’s call on using social media gets good response

Police chief’s call on using social media gets good response

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, June 19, 2019: Messages on LCD screens at traffic junctions from Police Commissioner Sandeep Patil asking people to call him or use the social media to lodge their grievances or share information have generated good response with the Commissioner getting considerable number of information and grievances through WhatsApp, SMS, emails and Twitter.

 

Two days ago, LCD screens at KPT Junction, Nantoor Junction and Ambedkar Circle in the city, which usually give information about the traffic condition and weather, began beaming five-minute-long messages from Mr. Patil.

Through the messages, Mr. Patil asked people to lodge their grievances or share information through WhatsApp on Ph: 9480802300, Tweet: @compolmlr or email: compolmgc@ksp.gov.in. “This is an initiative to encourage people to make use of the social media to share information with the police. Social media is extensively used by Benglauru police,” Mr. Patil told The Hindu .

Mr. Patil, who re-activated @compolmlr account on Twitter since taking charge as Police Commissioner in February, said that social media helps increase the presence of police. “We cannot be everywhere. Using social media, people can share information with us at their own convenience which we will immediately acted upon,” he said and added: “My Twitter account (@compolmlr) was earlier a one-way traffic with me posting achievements of the police. I want the account to be a two-way traffic with people taking active part in policing,” he said.

Since he posted his messages, Mr. Patil said that he has been flooded with responses in the form of messages, emails and posts on Twitter. Apart from Mr. Patil, a team of policemen continuously monitors the accounts. Grievances are forwarded to the officers concerned for necessary action.

Among the grievances that were addressed included the one about the absence of reflectors on some barricades placed on National Highway, which was posted on Monday. “The officer concerned was informed and reflectors were fixed,” Mr. Patil said. Pictures of motorists riding on pavement near Ambedkar Circle led to traffic police issuing notices. Action was also taken on haphazard parking on the Warehouse Road, he said.

Among the suggestions that have been made include the need for re-activating the Twitter account of the Mangaluru Traffic Police, which, Mr. Patil said, will see action in the next few days.