A group of women and college students from Jayanagar in Mudhol town have started night patrols in their neighborhood to deter thieves. With many men working factory shifts, the responsibility of keeping the area safe has fallen to women and some enterprising college students. They created a WhatsApp group for coordination, where members upload photos of their patrols to reassure residents.
The initiative came after over ten thefts were reported in Jayanagar in the past 20 days. Local residents shared their frustration, stating that while the police respond to incidents, the thefts continued, and strangers were frequently seen around their homes. As a result, the women and students took it upon themselves to patrol the streets during the night until about 4 a.m.
A dedicated team of more than 20 women has signed up for the task, with patrols split into groups of five or six members. Equipped with sticks and whistles, the volunteers patrol the streets while chatting to keep spirits high. They have received support from the police, who visit the group regularly, but continue to deal with issues when miscreants strike during police absences.
Mahadev Shirahatti, circle inspector for Mudhol, praised the initiative, assuring residents that their safety would be prioritized.
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