PANAJI:
South Goa police have ramped up beach safety ahead of the upcoming tourist season with lifeguards asked to maintain 24/7 vigilance and swiftly report incidents like drowning, altercations, suspicious activity, and unsafe tourist behaviour to the police.
Plain-clothes staff will conduct random checks to curb narcotics and harassment.
In a coordination meeting chaired by SP South Tikam Singh Verma with DRISHTI lifeguards at PHQ South today, instructions were also given to each police station to nominate a liaison officer, and dedicated communication groups for ensuring real-time updates between lifeguards and police.
“Instructions also included warning tourists against unsafe swimming, deep water entry, and alcohol use, reporting damaged or missing safety signages, and alerting authorities about narcotics, illegal vending, theft, or harassment,” reads a statement issued by Goa Police.
The meeting included SDPO Margao and Police Inspectors from Colva, Canacona, Vasco, and Mormugao PS and focused on preventing accidents and ensuring the safety of tourists and locals.
The PIs were further directed to ensure preventive patrolling, act swiftly on lifeguard inputs, and conduct quarterly joint mock drills with lifeguards and Fire & Emergency Services. Lifeguards will maintain first-aid kits, report rescue equipment status, and keep daily incident logs for police review. Visible police presence has been ensured during sunset and night beach activities
