To retreat the capital city’s safety, Islamabad Inspector General of Police (IGP) Qazi Jamilur Rehman in association with ASP Amna Baig announced a hot off the fire way for traffic police to patrol on bicycles.
The cycle patrol unit consists of 10 bicyclists in which each squad comprises two bicyclists.
Each member is given special training and required facilities to patrol different sectors and assist in controlling crime incidents while communicating friendly terms with the residents.
The traffic police officials told the initiative has been taken as a result of complaints related to harassment of female employees who were in charge of patrolling in public places, tourist squads, and parks.
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In addition, the bicycle squad initiative will bridge the gap between police and citizens, they added.
Currently, the crime index of Islamabad is 28.60 which brings it at 301st position of 374 cities of Pakistan as compared to Karachi that is ranked at 115th spot with a crime index rate of 53.70
The Index is based on the crime rate per 1,000 population for all crimes in a specific neighborhood or city and 100 is the safest.
In this regard, IGP Rehman, along with cycling experts, designed the citizen-friendly policing service and members were given respective training with gender-sensitive issues under consideration.
Islamabad: Congratulations! We are thrilled to announce the inauguration of the @ICT_Police #Bicycle Patrol Unit today! This unit will serve as a deterrent for making local footpaths, streets & public spaces safer for pedestrians and cyclists. pic.twitter.com/yZ5oAZ5IOd
— Urban Innovation (@urban_innov) April 10, 2021
The police bicycle squad will also look after wrong parking and other issues that cause tailback.
Apart from Islamabad, Karachi traffic police in April this year also launched bicycle patrol service for controlling the problem of frequent traffic jams in the busiest Saddar area.