Over 8,500 police personnel to man city on New Year Eve

Bengaluru: Bengaluru Police Commissioner Pratap Reddy on Thursday said more than 8,500 police personnel will be manning the city to see to it that no untoward incident takes place during the New Year celebration, and that the 1 AM deadline for celebrations will be strictly followed.

The special focus will be on the safety of women and children, he said, cautioning against unauthorised use of loudspeakers and music systems and violation of rules.  

"For the New Year bandobust across the city, a total of 8,500 police personnel and officials has been deployed for maintenance of law and order, other than this the entire staff and officials of the traffic division will be on duty," Reddy said.  He reminded that there is time restriction as per government instruction and a such, celebrations are allowed until 1 am on Jan 1.

Stating that the special focus will be on safety of women and children, the commissioner said a meeting was held with owners of all restaurants, hotels, resorts and pubs in the city on December 16 in this regard and guidelines have been issued to them.

"Those violating rules laid down, action is being taken against them," he further said, adding that only those who have taken permissions for using loud speakers and music systems will be allowed till 12 AM, and noise pollution committees under ACPs will be monitoring with decibel meters at various places in the city.  Special arrangements have been made for crowd control, the Commissioner said adding that CCTV and drones are being used.\

"Safe city cameras are there, cameras installed earlier and those available with the police will also be used for crowd and traffic control," he said

Bengaluru Police Commissioner CH Pratap Reddy urged the party organizers in the city to follow the decibel rules and not create discomfort for people around. The top cop has also shared the decibel limits set in different locations of Bengaluru.

“It is mandatory for the party organisers to obtain a license under Noise Pollution Rules for the use of loudspeakers. Everyone must comply with the decibel limits and timings,” the top cop stated. According to Bengaluru police, in industrial areas, 70 to 75 decibels of sound are allowed, whereas, in residential areas, the sound limit is set at 45 to 55 decibels. However, in commercial areas, a sound limit of 55–65 decibels is allowed.

The police commissioner also warned the residents to stay away from the usage of drugs on New Year’s night. “Don’t be in the wrong place or wrong company. Drugs are a serious crime. Consumers and peddlers are liable. Organizers face enhanced charges,” Pratap Reddy tweeted on Thursday