Patna police have chosen to go hi-tech to combat new-age crimes.

From installing GPS on patrol vehicles to having email addresses for police stations, a slew of measures are in store to tackle the spurt in crime. “We are thinking of installing GPS in patrol vehicles of all police stations for effective policing. This will take some time but once done, we can keep a tab on the vehicles and we would be able to know whether these are going around or not,” said Patna senior superintendent of police (SSP) Manu Maharaj.

All the police stations in Patna would soon get email addresses on which complaints can be lodged, the senior police officer said, adding that the work on installation of global positioning system (GPS) on patrolling vehicles will start within a month. At present, out of 73 police stations, more than 30 in Patna have got their respective email addresses.

Some among them include SK Puri police station (ps.skpuri-bih@nic.in), Patliputra police station (patliputra.ps@nic.in), Mokama police station (sho-mokamaps-bih@nic.in) and Chowk police station (ps.chowk-pat-bih@nic.in).

“The station house officers (SHOs) of the police stations concerned and other officials are being trained on how to access emails. The FIRs and complaints lodged online will be taken seriously. The system will take a few months before it can start full-fledged operations, as the officers need to adapt to the system. All police stations of Patna district will have exclusive emails,” the SSP said.

Earlier, the Patna police had directed all SHOs to immediately send text messages to people who had lodged FIRs.

“The same has been directed clearly. Once the FIR has been lodged, the police send a message via SMS to the complainant. The SMS will have the FIR number as well. The updates of a case under investigation will also be sent via text messages,” an officer said.

The police are also mulling over setting up 20 closed-circuit television cameras (CCTVs) in addition to the 10 operating in different parts of the city as part of a city surveillance plan. “At present, according to the plan, 10 CCTV cameras have been installed in different parts of the city, especially along the roundabouts. I am personally monitoring it from my office. The Patna Police Control Room is also keeping a tab. More than 20 cameras will be installed within a few months. The plan is to get full-time coverage of most parts of the city,” the SSP told The Telegraph.

On the traffic signals, Maharaj said: “The signals are now working at one of the major roundabouts in the city. The remaining signals, too, would start blinking within a month’s time. It was started at the Dakbungalow roundabout last month and now the traffic flow has become smooth. The same will be started at other roundabouts. The police need to study the roundabouts first before the implementation.”

Sources said the defunct signals near Mauryalok Complex and Income Tax roundabout would soon repaired within a month’s time.

Residents, however, were not convinced of the effectiveness of the technical revamp in tackling crime.

“Taking help of technology is a good idea but the primary job of the police is to ensure that crimes don’t occur. There has been a spurt in incidents lately. Rather than concentrating on being tech savvy, effective crime control should be the priority,” said Kankerbagh resident Abhinav Kumar.

new-age devices for effective policing

Track team

Global positioning system (GPS) will be installed on patrol vehicles

Internet initiative

All police stations to have email addresses like

SK Puri police station — ps.skpuri-bih@nic.in

Patliputra police station — patliputra.ps@nic.in' patliputra.ps@nic.in

Mokama police station — sho-mokamaps-bih@nic.in

Chowk police station — ps.chowk-pat-bih@nic.in

Officers and other personnel being trained on how to access the Internet and emails

Case progress

Station house officers have been directed to send text messages to complainants after FIR has been lodged. SMS to have FIR number

Police will also have to keep complainant updated on progress in the case

Eye from sky

Twenty closed-circuit television cameras (CCTVs) to be installed, especially along roundabouts, within a few months to get full-time coverage of city