The Mumbai police has procured 92 specially designed cars armed with GPS and other equipment, like those used by law enforcement agencies in the US, to thwart street crime.
With the help of GPS, officials expect the vehicles will help them trace and arrest the accused immediately. The cars will be commissioned into the police force coming Monday.
Department sources said the cars are Maruti Suzuki Ertiga models that will be deployed in areas under each police station with control room calls diverted to these cars if they are in the vicinity.
The cars will take stock of the situation and reach the affected area immediately to offer help, assist the victim or chase the accused. Locals too will be able to contact these cars in the event of emergency.
A senior police officer said this is a widely used pattern in the US where cars keep tabs on street crimes and Mumbai will be following the same model with cars deployed in areas where majority of street crimes occur in the hope this will increase detection rate.
In the US, such vehicles even reach the spot of the crime to collect first evidences. Mumbai Police DCP (Detection) and official spokesperson Dhananjay Kulkarni said, “A total 94 cars are going to be commissioned on November 23 at the hands of the CM.
“The main aim of these patrolling vehicles is to offer immediate help to women and children and they will be equipped with all necessary hi-tech instruments,” Mr Kulkarni explained.
