CPO advises citizens to stay vigilant at all times

Apr 25, 2014

Faisalabad: The police have evolved a plan to create awareness among citizens in the wake of increasing terrorism threats, City Police Officer Dr. Haider Ashraf said on Thursday.

He said under the plan, pamphlets and posters car­rying security precautions would be disseminated. The police will also meet with var­ious segments of the society to discuss these measures.

Safety measures will also be displayed on the Faisalabad Police’s Facebook page, he said.

People will be advised to stay vigilant and aware of their surroundings, “Get to know your neighbourhood and ask about your neigh­bours. Know who you work for and work with,” he said.

He advised house owners to run background checks on potential tenants. “Keep an eye on your surroundings, especially in crowded areas,” he suggested.

“If you see something un­usual happening around you, evaluate it. If you still can’t figure out whether it could be potentially threatening, notify the nearest police sta­tion at once.”

He requested people to in­form police if a new suspi­cious person moved into their neighbourhood, “Do not visit crowded places - markets, hotels, offices or video stores - unless you absolutely have to,” the CPO said.

He also advised people against handling unidenti­fied objects that could have explosives concealed in them. “These could be toys, lunch boxes, bottles or bags... do not accept parcels from strangers and look people around you in the eye,” he said.

“While travelling, you should always check under your seats for any suspicious objects. Keep your cell phones charged and make sure all emergency numbers are saved in them.”

Any abandoned vehicles, ar­ticles or strange objects must be reported immediately, the CPO stressed. “Lock your doors while travelling in a vehicle, make sure that only a quarter of each window is left open. Please lock your vehicles every time you park, even if you plan on returning in a few minute.”

The CPO said the bonnet and boot of cars should also be properly secured. “Look around for suspicious look­ing people before leaving your car and be ore getting into it, make sure its boot, bonnet and doors have not been tampered with.”

Dr. Ashraf said if there are any signs of suspicious activity, citizens have a duty to inform the police immediately.

Describing a potential sui­cide bomber, the CPO said he or she would be wearing an unusual number of lay­ers, they’d be heavy-footed, perspiring excessively, look­ing nervous and acting suspi­cious. He said it was possible that something extra would be protruding from their clothing.

The CPO has also directed the Security Branch in charge to ensure extra security ar­rangements for mosques, Imambargahs, markets, commercial centres and other public spaces on the last Friday of Ramazan, Shab-i-Qadr, Chaand Raat and Eid ul Fitr. He said additional police per­sonnel would be deployed near shopping centres and recre­ational places and the patrol­ling system will be made more effective.

(Tribune)

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