The foundation stone of the new Janamaithri Centre and Thoppumpady police station was laid by Home Minister Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan at Thoppumpady on Friday.
The minister also inaugurated the surveillance camera installation project in West Kochi by switching on the camera installed at Thoppumpady BOT bridge.
The Janamaithri Centre is being constructed by Kerala Police Housing Corporation and Rs 63.36 lakh had been granted from the MP Development Fund of Union Minister K V Thomas for this purpose.
The construction work is expected to be completed within one year.
According to Kochi Range IG K Padmakumar, the Centre will be set up in a three-storeyed building having a space of more than 6000 square feet.
The surveillance camera in West Kochi will be set up as part of Safe Kochi Secure Kochi programme.
Union Minister K V Thomas, while speaking at the function, said the Janamaithri Centre in West Kochi is very important as people from different communities reside in the area.
“A minor incident would end up in a major clash. With Janamaithri programmes we can maintain the law and order in this area with the participation of people,” he said.
Home Minister, in his inaugural speech, said that Kerala police have become more advanced and effective compared to what it was few years ago.
He said the Police Department is undergoing modernisation drive and is planning to recruit additional 11,000 policemen for making it more effective. Citing the crime rate in Kochi, he said that crime incidents have decreased considerably in the last two years.
“In 2010, 326 murder cases were reported whereas in 2012 it has decreased to 153. There were 362 murder attempt cases in 2010 which has come down to 264 in 2012. The theft cases also decreased considerably. In 2010 it was 4210 and in 2012 it has come down to 2206 this year. In the recent security analysis meet we have decided to increase the policemen to 65,000 within few years,” he said.
He said that with the usage of surveillance cameras and high-tech devices the police do not require to use third degree measures.
The public should be aware that with surveillance cameras all are under the watchful eyes of police and those who create trouble will be easily caught.
He said that Kerala police is one of the best police teams in the country and if modernisation takes place it can match the standards of Scotland Yard.
Dominic Presentation MLA also spoke on the occasion. Mayor Tony Chammany, GCDA chairman N Venugopal and City Police Commissioner M R Ajith Kumar were present.