Community policing
Regarding the drive by Goa police on traffic violations which began from April 15, why is this campaign by the traffic police only till the end of April? Why not on a long term basis, to caution the erring public that the police mean business? I also read with interest that the new DGP will among other things introduce Community Policing! This will not only relieve the pressure on the patrol police but assist people like me to enforce not driving through a no-entry zone. I try my best to prevent the so-called respectable, well-informed and educated drivers of two and four wheelers, who drive from PDA Colony (Porvorim) towards the Jeevottam Mutt on the wrong side of the NH17 highway, just to avoid having to go around the O'Coqueiro Circle to proceed towards Panaji. Community policing will give us authority to enforce the law.
Jose Heredia, Porvorim
Stricter rules
The decision to start clamping down on traffic related offences is a very good, especially at a time where accident related deaths are increasing. We need to follow simple rules, like wearing helmets and seatbelts first and then we will slowly start to get more responsible on the road. One sees these rules being broken all the time. I do not understand why people are so reluctant to wear helmets and seatbelts for instance, even though they know that these are safety measures and will end up saving us in case there is an accident. The rash driving, especially by the younger generation is another problem that needs to be addressed. Wide roads are meant to ease congestion but many use it as an excuse to speed. We have to have better rules and regulations put in place and the courts need to punish repeat offenders. Merely fining offenders or suspending their licences is not going to help. If we cannot have fast track courts for this, then increase the fines. When one has to be Rs 1000 for not wearing a helmet or Rs 5000 for having dark tinted glasses, then people will think twice about breaking the law. Perhaps the police will get paid better too.
Sanjay Naik, Mapusa
It is certainly clear that the recent demolition of a section of a hotel in Baga was politically motivated. For long now, that constituency has been controlled by political and business forces. Not just the hotel but some other restaurant, shacks and nightclubs have illegal structures, but the authorities turn a blind eye to them. We have seen this trend over the past decade as residents of the area and the politics between the MLAs, both past and present, and the panchayats benefits only those in power and those who have the money to influence them. But as residents we suffer. We do not have proper power infrastructure. We have wider roads but we can see our area getting destroyed. If the GCZMA and GSPCB come and inspect the entire beach stretches, half the restaurants will have illegal parts. Such is the level of corruption here.
Charlton Pereira, Candolim
