Visakhapatnam police to launch community fridges at five locations

In a first-of-its-kind community initiative, the city police will launch community fridges at five locations on August 15 to ensure that surplus food reaches people in need.

The pilot project will be introduced at Asilmetta, Jagadamba Junction, Maddilapalem, Gopalapatnam and Gajuwaka. Residents can place surplus fresh food in the fridges, from where people in need can collect it free of cost.

Commissioner of Police Shanka Brata Bagchi said the initiative was aimed at encouraging public participation in addressing hunger and preventing edible food from being wasted.

“People can place fresh food in the community fridges, while those in need can take it,” he said.

The Commissioner appealed to residents to donate only fresh and safe-to-consume food. The police will monitor the facilities, with CCTV cameras being installed at the selected locations and personnel deployed to oversee their functioning.

The response to the pilot project will be assessed before the initiative is extended to other parts of the city.

The programme is part of the city police’s efforts to strengthen community-oriented policing and assist vulnerable sections of society. The police had earlier launched Operation Jyothirgamayee, under which thousands of destitute people were traced and assisted. Some were shifted to GVMC night shelters, while others were reunited with their families, provided medical care or helped find employment.

“Seeing people begging or sleeping on the streets was heart-wrenching. No one should have to beg to survive. Every human being deserves to live with dignity,” Mr. Bagchi said.

The community fridges are expected to provide a direct link between residents with surplus food and people in need.