Delhi Police Back on Cycles to Watch Over Parks.

Representational Image | Image: DNA India

In 2014, Delhi Police started a simple and low-cost plan to stop crimes inside city parks — bicycle patrols. The plan began in North Delhi with eight gear bicycles. Police officers were told to patrol parks and nearby paths from 8 to 10 in the morning and from 4 to 6 in the evening.

After some time, the plan slowed down. It was restarted in 2017 with more bicycles. For example, the South District got four bicycles for each of its 15 police stations. The Yamuna area got 65 bicycles. A team was also made for Buddha Jayanti Park, which covers about 100 acres.

But soon again, the activity faded away. Now, in many areas, this patrol system is rarely seen. Police say that when criminals see bicycle patrols, they stop coming to parks for some time, and later the focus shifts elsewhere.

Problems in Running the Plan

Police officers say the plan faced many problems — long routes, bad lighting, broken paths, and poor park upkeep. One officer said that the roads inside most parks were not fit for bicycle use, and that made patrolling hard.

Why Bicycles Can Still Help

Crimes in parks have been growing. A few days ago, a 23-year-old salesman was killed inside a park. Such cases show the need for strong patrols in green areas like Sanjay Van, Buddha Jayanti Park, and Deer Park. These places often become unsafe after dark.

Walking long distances is tiring, but bicycles can help police move faster. They can cover more area and keep better watch on people. This may stop bad elements from entering parks.

Retired police officers said that a clear police presence keeps troublemakers away. They also said that senior officers should check park patrols daily. One retired DCP said, “There are many cases of snatching during morning and evening walks. Armed bicycle teams can reduce these crimes. They can move around easily and keep an eye on everything.”

How Patrols Work Now

Many senior officers said that parks are still part of their patrol plans. One DCP said that from 6 PM to 10 PM, a team visits parks to make sure everything is fine. “When possible, we use bicycles. After checking, we take photos of the park and share them in our group,” the officer added.

In some areas, bicycles cannot be used because of rough and uneven paths.

Asking for Better Park Safety

Police said they often question people who roam in parks without a reason and check their IDs. They also keep an eye on those with criminal records. Officers said they are asking local authorities to add better lights, CCTV cameras, security guards, and proper boundary walls to make parks safer for all.