Tavares spells out police security plans for senior citizens

QUEPEM: “Police are concerned about security for senior citizens and by getting to know their grievances and sense of insecurity, they will accordingly reach out to them and help them on a priority basis,” said DySP Sammy Tavares, in a special meeting organized for senior citizens at Kakodkar school, Curchorem, on Saturday morning.
Around 50 senior citizens attended the meeting along with large number of police personnel from Quepem, Curchorem and Sanguem.The meeting was also attended by the senior citizens’ organising committee and Curchorem Senior Citizen Forum.
In December 2014, Goa police launched a dedicated toll free helpline - 1090- for senior citizens to promptly attend calls/complaints and extend a helping hand, in case of need. The main objective of the helpline is to ensure safety and security of senior citizens.
Explaining the standard operating procedure for senior citizens laid down by the Inspector General of Police Sunil Garg, Tavares said that police will erect sign boards at the prominent places in every beat highlighting all the emergency contact for senior citizens, name of the in-charge persons in case if they want to make complaints.
Senior citizens were also explained about the do’s and don’ts about their personal safety, as most of the senior citizens, living alone or with their spouse, can be a soft target for criminals, as they are not capable enough to defend themselves.
There are instances of senior citizens found abandoned and incapacitated due to various diseases and unable to secure help from either relative or friends, in such cases police have to be a saviour by providing immediate relief and shelter, he said.
“Constables from each beat will take care of the senior citizens and all the beat constables from Curchorem and Quepem police stations were introduced to senior citizens during the meeting,” said Tavares.
Sanguem police station is the first police station to erect signs boards in all the seven beats. Two sign boards have been erected in each beat at Sanguem.
Philomeno Periera, a senior citizen from Quepem, refered to provision in law which states that the husband and in-laws go behind bars if they harass the woman in the name of dowry, opined that the same act should be implemented for senior citizens for harassment meted out by their children.
As per guidelines laid down by the IGP, senior citizens, who are living alone or with spouse, should be identified and registered through the beat staff on a regular basis. Every senior citizen should be visited at least once a week by the beat/division staff and once a month by the PI of respective police station.
Tavares distributed free video CDs of his famous tiatr ‘Aplea Bhurgeam Sangata’ to senior citizens. The theme of the tiatr is related to old parents who are ill-treated by their children.