A strong push for women’s security: Seven pink patrol vehicles launched in the city to ensure women’s safety and freedom

Recently, a 19-year-old, girl miffed with her parents, left her home town Salem and travelled to Coimbatore. As she prepared to spend the night at the bus stand, a team of women cops from the Pink Patrol team stepped in and helped her reunite with her family. Special Sub Inspector N Rohini recounts the story as we hop on a ride with her before halting at an educational institution for an awareness session. “Will you get scared if someone threatens you online?” asks SSI K Ganga Devi to a group of college-goers and says, “You have to call these numbers to get immediate help if you feel unsafe in any situation.”

Seven gleaming pink vehicles, piloted by women police to prevent crimes against women and children, can now be spotted on arterial roads in the city, educational institutions, bus stands, and railway stations where women’s footfall is high. As all vehicles are equipped with GPS, when a woman makes a distress call, either through Dial 100 or Safe Kovai (SaKo) poles equipped with CCTV cameras and SOS functions at bus stops across the city, the closest Pink Patrol vehicle reaches them to offer help.

A Saravana Sundar, City Police Commissioner
| Photo Credit:
Siva Saravanan S

“Presence of mind is essential,” says A Saravana Sundar, Commissioner of Police, Coimbatore. “If someone is in distress, staying alert can help them take quick action. They have to know the place, people around, and a possible escape route in case of an emergency. The Kaaval Uthavi app has a trigger feature where once a user’s phone is shaken three times, an SOS is sent automatically to the control room. Many situations can be avoided with a mind that is aware.”

The Pink Patrol vehicle operates 24/7, staffed by one driver and a woman police officer. They respond immediately to distress calls from women, offer counselling, and coordinate with nearby stations to resolve complaints. “On average, the unit receives four to five calls a day and has already rescued four women. We also conduct awareness programmes at educational institutions, hospitals, airports, and bus stops on topics including women’s safety and child protection (POCSO). The patrol is often around colleges, schools, working women’s hostels, and bus stops to keep a check on bullying,” says G Karthikeyan, Deputy Commissioner of Police (South)

All pink patrol police vehicles operated by women police are equipped with GPS
| Photo Credit:
Siva Saravanan S

While the recent incident of a young woman in the city has triggered conversations over women’s safety, it also brings to the fore women’s freedom, victim blaming, and mental health. “What is the root cause?” asks Swati Jagdish, psychologist and sexuality health educator. “If a woman calls for help, the police reach within minutes. That immediate safety net matters. What are we doing as a society to prevent these situations?” she says, adding that long-term safety has to start with early gender education. “We need to talk to boys about consent, boundaries, body autonomy in a practical, age-appropriate way. We underestimate how much boys carry frustration, anger, distorted ideas about masculinity, and the influence of online content. Without emotional regulation, it comes out in harmful ways.”

According to NV Sreejaya, advocate, India and Solicitor England & Wales, women’s safety is possible only when society recognises a woman’s right to say no to a man and her right to walk away from a relationship or marriage where she feels unhappy or unsafe. “Silent and unresponsive bystanders become enablers of violence and unwittingly help the perpetrators of such crimes. Women’s safety does not lie in getting them home before it gets dark, it lies in getting the men to behave better under the cover of darkness. In this, society has a large role to play by bringing about changes in perception both in men and women themselves.”

Salini Balasubramniam, who moved to Coimbatore three years ago for studies and is now a full-time professional here, says, “While in college, the ‘Police Akka’ programme was helpful and educated us on where to report our safety concerns. At the workplace, we are introduced to POSH rules. The city is functional and busy until 10pm. If I have to travel for any matter, regardless of the time, I must rely on myself —actively tracking my ride and sharing my live location with my friends, roommates or my parent. With the recent conversation going around, women’s safety has made us rely on sources like Kavalan apps.”

Dial 100 or Safe Kovai (SaKo) poles equipped with CCTV cameras and SOS functions at bus stops across the city to reach out for help
| Photo Credit:
SIVA SARAVANAN S

Dr V Naveen Kumar, psychiatrist at Manam Behavioural Medicine Clinic & Medical Director, of Abhasa luxury Rehabilitation and Wellness Centre , says: “Women are constantly told to be cautious, but safety is not the burden of women alone. Young people should also be aware of SOS tools, phone apps, cab safety buttons, city helplines etc. Parents should teach civic sense, consent, and boundaries to boys and girls. Parenting with mental-health awareness helps in raising a stable child.”

After a patrol around Race Course and a chat with evening walkers, we wrap up the ride with a deeper understanding of women’s safety. Adds A Saravana Sundar, City Commissioner, “Women should never hesitate to approach for help. We have dedicated women officers at every level, from constable rank to AC and DC level to handle cases sensitively. In cyber crime cases, we have retrieved compromised photos and videos, tracked down offenders, arrested them, and prevented misuse,” he says, adding, “Keep the surroundings secure, ensure CCTV works, and follow simple safety practices. One has to be alert, be it home or outside.”