COIMBATORE: A QR code-based public safety initiative launched by the Coimbatore district police in July has received 145 complaints from the public so far, leading to the registration of seven FIRs and three community service registers (CSRs).The initiative, ‘Nizhal – Together for a Safer Society,’ enables people to alert police by scanning QR codes installed at public places and report crimes, suspicious activities and other threats to public safety. A senior police officer said the initiative had emerged as a useful channel for receiving information from the public, particularly on the use and sale of contraband substances.“Many complaints relating to contraband use are being received through the Nizhal QR code. We are getting useful information from members of the public, which helps us initiate action. Recently, acting on information received through the initiative, we seized around 5,900 illegal lottery tickets in Anamalai and arrested people involved in selling them,” said a senior police officer.Information received through the platform is monitored by personnel at the Master Command and Control Centre (MCCC) at the district police office (DPO). Complaints are scrutinised and, wherever necessary, forwarded to the jurisdictional police stations or emergency response teams for further action. The initiative allows people to share information without disclosing their identity.Police officials said the details of those submitting complaints would be kept strictly confidential, a feature they believe has encouraged more people to come forward with information. The QR codes are being installed in a phased manner at locations frequented by the public, including educational institutions, bus stands, railway stations, hospitals, commercial establishments, govt offices and other public places.Police officials said the initiative was aimed not only at responding to emergencies but also at strengthening preventive policing and intelligence gathering with greater public participation.The district police have appealed to residents to use the Nizhal QR facility to report information on crimes against women and children, narcotics and other contraband, suspicious persons or activities, illegal activities and threats to public safety.
