KOCHI: There is nothing except the signboard that gives away the true identity of this building in Kadavanthra. The police station at Kadavanthra doesn’t project the usual rough and tough albeit drab ambience. It has turned child-friendly. The month-long effort taken by the police officers at the station has come to fruition. Kadavanthra Janamaithri Police Station is one of the six police stations which have been declared as child–friendly stations in the state on Tuesday.
The visitor’s room at the station has been converted into a resting area with a crib for children and a mattress for mothers. They have also stocked toys and books besides installing a television in a restroom. Even the compound wall of the station has been given a makeover. Now, Dora, Dory and other cartoon characters decorate the wall.
According to Kadavanthra SI Vijaya Sankar S, the child-friendly police station is the first one in a series of people-friendly programmes planned by them. “We conceived the idea to provide a child-friendly atmosphere in the station. Many mothers often come to the police stations with their kids in tow to lodge petitions. The restroom will allow them to rest and also feed their children while their petition gets processed,” he said.
The project was undertaken to improve community policing. The child-friendly stations will prompt children to lodge their grievances and also cater to minors who have been accused of crimes, said the police officers.The officers have begun holding meetings with the residents as a part of making their station more accessible. Though the fund to give the police station a makeover was allocated by the government, many institutions, residents’ associations and private individuals also extended financial assistance.
The child-friendly police station is the first one in a series of people-friendly programmes planned by the officers here. Many mothers come to the police stations with their kids in tow to lodge petitions. The restroom will allow them to rest and also feed their children while their petition gets processed
— Vijaya Sankar S, Kadavanthra SI