The Greater Chennai Police have implemented extensive security measures for Christmas festivities in the city. Approximately 8,000 police personnel have been deployed to manage crowds and ensure public safety at various locations, including churches and beaches. Security arrangements, including the deployment of officers in shifts, have been in place since Christmas Eve to maintain law and order during the holiday season.
Volunteers from the Tamil Nadu Home Guards are assisting the police in crowd control and other security duties. With around 350 churches in Chennai, special attention is being given to popular ones like Santhome Church, Velankanni shrine, St Antony’s Church, and St George’s Cathedral. Police presence, including plainclothes officers, is heightened at these sites to monitor crowds, prevent theft, and deter anti-social behavior.
In addition to physical presence, electronic surveillance has been strengthened with dedicated teams monitoring CCTV footage in crowded areas. The police drone unit is conducting aerial surveillance to monitor crowd movements in sensitive locations like Marina Beach and Elliot’s Beach, which are expected to draw large crowds during the holiday season.
To ensure public safety, the police will patrol beaches using All Terrain Vehicles (ATVs) and enforce strict regulations to prevent people from entering the sea. Extra personnel will be stationed along the shoreline to respond promptly to emergencies and enforce safety measures. The Greater Chennai Traffic Police have also arranged for traffic diversions, parking facilities, and additional personnel near churches and crowded areas to manage traffic flow smoothly.
