Stop airing crime series on TV, say police

Experts and police officers believe that films and TV crime series are giving youngsters ideas on how to commit a crime. They also feel that crimes series should not be telecast.

Deputy commissioner of police, Vinay Rathod, (crime branch detection 1), said, “Earlier, it used to be novels and books, but now films and crime series are presenting youths with ideas on how to commit a crime.”

A police officer said that even though the intention of these serials was to create awareness among citizens, it is also passing ideas.

Rathod said, “In many cases, people who do not have a crime record are also seeking ideas. We are against the telecast of crime series. It is good for awareness, but the process of a police investigation shouldn’t be revealed in as they are giving them ideas to prevent arrest.”

For example: The police said the process of checking call records was revealed through movies and series, which has resulted in many suspects not using their mobile phones.

Meanwhile, psychiatrist Dr Harish Shetty said, “If a normal person is watching any kind of movie, it would not affect them at all, but some, with obvious psychopathic traits, will get inspired. Likewise, porn is also harmful as it leads to sexual offences.”

While the traffic police boast of the regular health check-ups they conduct to ensure the force is in good health, they don’t include a hearing test which, experts say, should be done on priority for those standing at chaotic traffic junctions through the day.

Picture this: a 50-year-old constable HT spoke to said he travels for at least 30 minutes by train to reach the traffic junction.

At the spot, he is exposed to constant honking for at least five hours.

This is the routine for almost all his colleagues in the department.

“There is no hearing test. They check our blood pressure and condition of the heart, among others,” said a constable posted at Malad police station.

Mumbai police spokesperson Ashok Dudhe, however, refuted the claims. “We include hearing tests in the check-up.”

“We are aware of the occupational hazard [hearing ailments]. We are taking steps to reduce their exposure to noise. We transfer traffic constables posted at traffic junctions to police station after five years,” said Milind Bharambe, joint commissioner of police, traffic.

Sumaira Abdulali, convener, Awaaz Foundation, said, “When we put constables through hearing tests, most of them showed a significant hearing loss. When you are amid noise, understanding speech becomes difficult.”

“Traffic noise is a continuous source of pollution. In places like JJ flyover, it exceeds 100 db at times. If we stand under the flyover for five minutes, we start to feel dizzy,” she said.