Daijiworld Media Network - Panaji

Panaji, Sep 13: In anticipation of the upcoming tourist influx, South Goa Police have significantly ramped up safety measures across popular beach stretches. At a high-level coordination meeting held today at Police Headquarters (PHQ) South, stringent protocols were laid out for lifeguards and law enforcement officers to ensure a safe and secure environment for both tourists and locals.

The meeting was chaired by SP South Tikam Singh Verma, and included representatives from DRISHTI Marine, the state’s lifeguard service, along with senior officers from Colva, Canacona, Vasco, and Mormugao police stations.

Key Safety Directives:

• 24/7 Lifeguard Vigilance: Lifeguards have been instructed to maintain round-the-clock monitoring of beach areas and immediately alert police to incidents such as drownings, fights, suspicious behavior, or intoxicated tourists entering the sea.
• Liaison Officers Appointed: Each police station will designate a liaison officer to coordinate directly with lifeguards. Dedicated communication groups are being formed for real-time updates and rapid response.
• Plain-Clothes Surveillance: Undercover personnel will conduct random checks to crack down on narcotics, harassment, and illegal beachside activities.
• Tourist Safety Enforcement:

o Warnings against swimming under the influence, venturing into deep waters, or ignoring safety signage.
o Immediate reporting of damaged or missing signage, illegal vending, or theft.

• Mock Drills & Equipment Audits:

o Quarterly mock drills involving Police, Fire & Emergency Services, and lifeguards will be conducted.
o Lifeguards will maintain first-aid kits, check rescue equipment regularly, and log all incidents for police review.

• Enhanced Night Safety: Visible police presence will be maintained during sunset and nighttime activities, traditionally peak hours for beach parties and increased footfall.

Focus on Prevention

The police emphasized preventive patrolling and swift action based on lifeguard inputs to avoid tragedies and keep the coastline incident-free.

In a statement, Goa Police reiterated their commitment to a “safe and welcoming environment” for tourists, while discouraging any activity that could lead to accidents or threaten public safety.