In a significant boost to women's security in Coimbatore, the recently launched 'Pink Patrol' initiative has demonstrated remarkable results within just two weeks of its operation. The dedicated patrol service, consisting of seven distinct vehicles, has been actively safeguarding women and teenage girls during the vulnerable late night and early morning hours across the city.
Swift Action and Successful Rescues
Since the flag-off on November 15, the Pink Patrol teams have intervened in multiple critical situations. In one notable incident, a working woman waiting alone at the Gandhipuram bus stand in the early hours was spotted by a patrol team. The officers promptly picked her up and safely dropped her at her hostel in Ganapathy.
Another intervention occurred on November 21, when the patrol rescued two teenage girls near Kavundapalayam Junction around 2:30 AM. The girls, who were inmates of a private shelter home in Kuppanur near Madhampatti, had escaped from the facility. The Pink Patrol team took them to the police station, provided counselling, and later handed them back to the shelter home authorities, advising them to ensure better care for the inmates.
Structure and Accessibility of the Initiative
The operational framework of the Pink Patrol is designed for maximum efficiency and reach. Seven sports utility vehicles (SUVs) have been assigned to cover seven key ranges in Coimbatore:
- Podanur
- Kuniyamuthur
- Ukkadam
- RS Puram
- Singanallur
- Saibaba Colony
- Kattoor
Each vehicle is led by a woman police officer of sub-inspector or special sub-inspector rank and patrols the city round the clock. A crucial feature is the dedicated mobile number provided for each patrol vehicle. Women in distress can call this number, and the nearest Pink Patrol vehicle is committed to reaching the spot within minutes.
Building Trust and Encouraging Reporting
City Police Commissioner A. Saravana Sundar highlighted a key benefit of the initiative. He noted that women often hesitate to approach male police officers during late hours. The introduction of the women-led Pink Patrol has changed this dynamic, encouraging more women to come forward and seek help without hesitation.
Commissioner Sundar stated, "Our pink patrols have been enhancing the safety of women during late night and early morning hours as seven pink patrols are functioning round the clock in various parts of the city. The teams have rescued some runaway girls during patrolling." He added that apart from the mentioned rescues, the teams have also assisted schoolchildren at bus stands, rescued a college student from harassment by two youths in Kuniyamuthur, and helped reunite women who had left their homes following domestic disputes.
The early success of the Pink Patrol underscores its role as a vital, responsive pillar of women's safety in Coimbatore. By providing a visible, accessible, and empathetic security presence, especially during the night, the initiative is building greater public confidence and setting a proactive example for urban safety measures.
