The Margao town was marred with a series of robberies, dacoities and burglaries from January this year to as recent as June. The instances were coupled with several cross desecrations which created confusion for the police and the entire law enforcement. However, with the arrests of some groups of migrants the chain of robberies has stopped.
Now the office of the South Goa Superintendent of Police has issued security advisories for the affected areas and rest of South Goa to avoid such instances.
The SP said that there have been some instances of thefts and burglaries in flats, houses, bungalows/Housing Societies recently, in the state of Goa.
“It is not enough for the Police alone to fight crime. Crime prevention is a task for the Police and the community working together. Therefore, we have been meeting various stakeholders to sensitize them about the need to take security precautions, so as to prevent cases of thefts and burglaries in future,” SP Arvind Gawas said.
A list of proactive security measures that are required to be adopted to keep vigil and identify culprits before they strike and to prevent such incidents from occurring or for apprehending the culprit/s was the main content of the advisory by the SP South.
The SP has requested the owners of flats, houses, bungalows /Housing Societies to install adequate number of CCTV cameras with night vision facility to bring the whole residential area under surveillance with minimum of 15 days data storage facility. Since culprit/s mostly use a vehicle to commit crime, at least one surveillance camera should be installed facing the approach road. Images recorded should be clear and the faces of the persons and vehicle number plates should be clearly identifiable, the advisory further mentioned.
Employing of Security Guards at residences for round-the-clock duty with uniform, whistle, ID Card, lathi, torch and a Register for Police on patrol to sign has also been advised. Security Guards should be hired from registered Security Agencies only. Antecedents of all Security Guards must be verified through Police. The list of Security Guards employed with their Cell Nos. should be provided to the local Police station. The Security Guards should have a phone says the advisory. Contact numbers of house owners/ chairman of societies, local Police Station and Police Control Room to contact in case of exigency have also been recommended.
Installation of Anti-Burglary Alarm system has been advised as it is excellent for home security. It provides peace of mind to homeowner, especially while on vacation.
Burglars hate bright light and hence adequate lighting arrangements should be made in and around the residence. During the night time, the surrounding area should be well illuminated. This makes it convenient for residents to view the movements outside and will also keep the burglars away, it advises.
The compound wall, with lockable gates, should have adequate height with sufficient measures to prevent surreptitious entry. The compound wall grouted with broken glass or concertina wire has been advised. The perimeter fencing should be well lit.
Trimming all shrubbery and trees around the house / bungalow /Housing Society to reduce cover for burglars is also recommended. People have also been advised to have a strong lock and not locks or doorknobs which are easy for burglars to open. The ventilation ducts should have grills.
Margao has been shaken up by constant robberies for the last 6 to 8 months from the end months of 2016 till July 2017. To add to the woes, desecration and vandalism of crosses and temples and religious structures increased the stress on the over burdened Police. The Police were left red faced to such an extent that the Deputy Inspector General of Police had to specially address a meeting of all the Police Inspectors, Sub Inspectors, Assistant Sub Inspectors and Constables to buckle up and stop the incidents.
The arrests of some groups in robberies stopped the incidents but the police have said that there are many groups that operate and may strike again. The Advisory of the SP comes as a warning for the people and housing societies which are taking the security too lightly.
