TimesView The initiative of the rural police to use modern technology during patrolling is commendable. It needs to be adopted by the city police too, who still mark visits to housing societies and other establishments with manual entries in a register. The use of technology will help the police force make optimum use of its beat marshals. PUNE: At least 300 radio-frequency identification devices (RFID) around theft-prone spots across the jurisdiction of six police stations under the Pune rural police have been installed.The project will ensure that beat marshals and patrolling teams are vigilant and visit these spots at regular intervals to prevent thefts.The RFID helps secure effective patrolling by the constables from the respective police stations. Automated reports on patrol visits are generated by the software.The project was sanctioned by the home department of the state government and will cover 30 police stations under the jurisdiction of the Pune Rural police.Superintendent of police Sandeep Patil told TOI that the decision to install RFID was taken to improve the patrolling in the areas of the police stations which are fairly developed.“At present, we have installed the system at six police stations. It will be implemented in all the police stations in phases,” he added.Patil said the devices have helped improve the policemen’s presence in the day and at night in the villages.Constables or the patrolling staff carry RFID readers whiles the receptor machines are installed on the walls of the banks, ATMs and other such places.The constables hold the reader for a couple of seconds in front of the receptor which immediately alerts the control room about the visit.The officials of the police stations and at the Pune rural police headquarters can access the reports.The entire exercise makes it mandatory for the beat marshals and patrolling staff to visit every sensitive spot.Police officials claimed that the installation of the RFIDs and subsequent visits by the policemen to these places have reduced thefts.“We will soon study the reports of the six police stations to check what impact these RFIDs have made in the last few months,” a senior police officer said.He added that it has improved the efficiency of the policemen.

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