Daijiworld Media Network - Panaji

Panaji, Dec 2: With rising fear of crime and declining public faith in law enforcement, the Panaji civic administration has rolled out a new community policing initiative aimed at strengthening cooperation between residents and the police. The pilot project has been launched in Altinho, with plans to expand it to Miramar after a month.

Panaji Mayor Rohit Monserrate said the recent spate of dacoities and incidents involving anti-social elements had left citizens, especially senior residents, anxious. “There are a lot of senior citizens in Altinho and Miramar. After the recent dacoities, there is a lot of fear. People drinking and creating nuisance near Lake View Colony have made residents afraid to step out,” he said.

Under the initiative, vigilant residents will be identified and trained to recognise suspicious behaviour. These representatives will then be introduced to the beat police personnel assigned to their zones. The Goa Police divides the city into eight beats, each monitored by a constable to deter anti-social activity and boost public confidence.

Once a month, residents, beat officers and senior police officials will meet to flag and resolve area-wise concerns.

The Corporation of the City of Panaji (CCP) has received repeated complaints about drunken behaviour, vandalism and loitering in residential areas. While the community watch groups will initially focus on public safety, the scope will later expand to cybercrime awareness and tenant verification.

Mayor Monserrate said the aim is to break the hesitation people feel in approaching the police. “The stigma needs to go. Effective policing cannot rely only on official channels — residents need to be proactive. At the same time, this will also ensure accountability from the police,” he said.

Emphasising community ownership, the Mayor added, “If you don’t look out for your neighbour, it’s going to be a failure. You can’t rely on the police for everything.”

The Altinho pilot group is being carefully curated to remain non-political and inclusive. “We need a mix of seniors and young people, not those looking to turn it into a political forum,” Monserrate said.

Expressing his long-term vision, he added, “I want Panaji to be the safest city in Goa. But that will only happen if the police and public work on the same page, with enough eyes and awareness across the city.”