Mysuru: Compared to last year, the crime rate in Mysuru city has declined by 15% in 2017, thanks to the new initiatives launched by the Police Department.

As per the information released to the media by City Police Public Relation Officer, the Police have recovered stolen items worth Rs. 2 crore, besides collecting Rs. 8.5 crore in fines for violation of traffic rules. Compared to 2016, the Police have collected Rs 1.2 crore more fine for traffic violations.

One of the major crimes that witnessed a sharp decline in 2017 was chain snatching, dropping by a drastic 53% in comparison to 2016. Also, the number of fatalities in accident cases has come down by 4%.  Violence and assault cases too fell by 10% owing to the tight vigil that cops kept on anti-social elements.

Initiatives such as ‘Good Morning’, ‘Good Evening’ beats, ‘Operation Fast Track’, 24×7 patrolling and Vanitha Sahayavani, have helped in bringing the crime rate down. Anti-rowdy squad, surprise parade of rowdy sheeters, new beat system, constitution of Traffic Advisory Committee, Operation Cheetah, strengthening of night patrol, celebration of National Road Safety Week and Crime Prevention Month, raids on foreigners staying illegally and welfare schemes for the Police officers as well as the personnel introduced in 2017, helped in controlling the crime rate.

A new beat system, strict night patrolling routines, Garuda and Cheetah operations, Cobra bikes, women’s helpline, anti-rowdy squad, etc. are among some of the initiatives.

The Police conducted regular parades of rowdies and chain snatchers, which resulted in the crimes related to assault and violence coming down. Police are also monitoring activities of rowdy elements very closely.

The Police also arrested a few foreigners for overstaying in the city and booked them under the Registration of Foreigners Act, 1939. A majority of them had student visas and were residing illegally even after visa expiry.

Along with certain law-enforcement initiatives, the Police Department also added more lines to ‘Dial 100’ for emergencies. Social awareness programmes like observance of Crime Prevention Month every December and National Road Safety Week every January have made people to be cautious and be aware of crimes.

In 2018 too, the initiatives will continue and several programmes will be conducted for the welfare of the people, said City Police Commissioner Dr. A Subrahmanyeswara Rao.