On a bitterly cold Saturday evening in Ghaziabad, an ordinary police patrol took on an extraordinary humanitarian role. While on duty in the Wave City and Crossing Republic areas, Assistant Commissioner of Police Priyanshi Pal and her team came across families shivering in makeshift shelters beneath the Crossing Republic underpass. The officer halted the patrol and, together with local station personnel, distributed blankets to roughly 20–25 needy households.
Priyanshi Pal Ghaziabad blanket drive
The initiative unfolded during a routine neighbourhood sweep. Officers found children and elderly residents huddled against the cold in informal settlements. Priyanshi Pal, who led the patrol, inspected the situation and quickly organised blankets to be handed out on the spot. Eyewitnesses said the ACP personally draped blankets over several children, while other team members ensured every family received aid.
Local accounts described an immediate improvement in morale. Children who had been shivering were seen smiling after receiving the blankets, while older residents offered prayers and expressed gratitude to the police team. The distribution continued alongside the patrol duties, as officers maintained their rounds while offering relief to those who needed it most.
Priyanshi Pal told reporters that maintaining security remains the force’s primary duty, but human compassion is an inseparable part of policing. “We owe it to the people we serve to protect them, and at times like these that also means providing immediate relief,” she said. With that principle in mind, the team reached roughly 20–25 families to provide warmth during the cold night.
The action highlights a practical, community-focused approach to law enforcement. Rather than limiting themselves to enforcement, the officers took visible steps to address an urgent humanitarian need. Residents of the shanty settlements welcomed the support, noting that such gestures build confidence between police and vulnerable communities.
Community leaders and residents commended the initiative for its timeliness. Several beneficiaries said the blankets would make a critical difference over the next few nights, when temperatures were expected to remain low. The distribution also served as a reminder of the broader role civic agencies can play in disaster prevention and relief, even during routine operations.
Authorities said the patrol remained active after the handouts, continuing standard duties while keeping an eye on other vulnerable spots. The incident underlines how simple interventions—promptly organised and executed—can prevent immediate harm and strengthen civic bonds.
While the blanket distribution was modest in scale, its symbolic weight was significant: uniformed officers seen offering direct comfort to residents in need reinforced the message that public safety and public service are intertwined. As winters deepen and the city mobilises resources for vulnerable populations, such gestures can complement larger relief efforts carried out by civic agencies and non-governmental groups.
Local police sources indicated that similar community outreach efforts may be repeated in areas where the need is acute. For now, the families who received blankets on that cold night will have some respite, and the episode has been received as an example of policing with empathy in Ghaziabad.
Key Takeaways:
- ACP Priyanshi Pal Ghaziabad blanket drive reached around 20–25 families sleeping in and around the Crossing Republic underpass.
- The patrol team handed out blankets and personally helped children and elderly residents to stay warm during a harsh cold snap.
- Residents praised the police for combining public safety duties with community care, strengthening local trust.
