Haveri : Haveri police’s district-wide Locked House Beat System (LHBS), aimed at preventing burglaries at vacant homes, has received a lukewarm response, with only 24 households enrolling in four months despite rising thefts targeting locked houses.
Ranebennur and Haveri towns have recorded the highest response, with 10 and eight registrations, respectively. However, in four months, only 24 people have enrolled. Of these, 21 houses are still locked, and police are keeping an eye on them,” she said.
Police said burglars often identify locked houses during festivals, weddings, tours and vacations and strike when occupants are away. Despite awareness drives, police said public participation remains poor. Officials said the scheme is particularly useful for families travelling for weddings, pilgrimages, festivals, work, medical treatment or holidays.
Under the initiative, residents leaving their homes locked for more than a day can inform the nearest police station, following which beat personnel will keep the premises under surveillance. Under LHBS, beat personnel are assigned to monitor registered houses across Haveri, Ranebennur, Hangal, Shiggaon, Savanur, Hirekerur, Rattihalli, Byadgi and other areas. One household each has registered in Byadgi, Ranebennur Rural, Hirekerur and Bankapur, while two have enrolled in Savanur. Several police station limits, including Haveri Rural, Guttal, Kaginele, Kumarapatna, Halageri, Hamsabhavi, Rattihalli, Shiggaon, Hulagur, Hangal, Tadas and Adur, have recorded no registrations. Police believe lack of awareness, hesitation and dependence on neighbours could be keeping residents away. They urged people to register before travelling and provide their travel dates and contact numbers. Advance information enables police to plan patrols and monitor suspicious movement around locked homes. Superintendent of police Yashodha Vantagodi urged residents to make use of the facility. “LHBS has been created to provide security to people’s homes.