Establishments asked to ensure background checks and maintain close coordination with police
MAPUSA
With peak tourist season around the corner, the Calangute police have directed all businesses along the Calangute-Candolim coastal belt to deploy security personnel only from registered security agencies.
The move comes in the wake of recent incidents involving tourists and aims to reinforce safety in the State’s most visited beach corridor.
DySP Vishwesh Karpe, along with Calangute PI Paresh Naik, held a meeting with representatives of security agencies, hoteliers, shack owners and other tourism stakeholders to outline safety protocols, verification procedures and behavioural guidelines for the busy months ahead. Around 200 hotel and accommodation operators attended the session, followed by a separate interaction with shack operators.
Karpe said the police have stressed the importance of background checks, especially as many establishments employ non-Goan staff.
“We have asked owners to ensure proper employee registration with due diligence. Verification of antecedents is critical to avoid security lapses,” Karpe told The Goan.
The directive has been prompted in part by the recent attack on tourists at Romeo Lane, an incident that raised concerns about unregulated staff and inadequate security arrangements in nightlife zones.
Officials said strengthening front-line security will help maintain order during high footfall and reduce the chances of similar episodes.
Businesses were urged to maintain constant coordination with the police, promptly report suspicious activity and ensure that their security personnel are trained to handle tourist-related conflicts professionally. “We want to ensure a safe and incident-free season for visitors and locals. Professional, accountable security teams are essential in a tourism-heavy belt like Calangute–Candolim,” an officer at the meeting said.
Police also advised establishments to maintain proper visitor logs, install functional CCTV systems and avoid employing freelance or unregistered bouncers – practices that have previously contributed to conflicts.
Officials said the measures are part of a broader effort to preserve Calangute’s reputation as Goa’s premier tourist destination, especially during the high-demand winter months.
