Ever since 2009 began, it feels like we have been in the midst of serious security threats both as citizens of India and residents of Bengaluru. First it was the horrific carnage at the Taj and Oberoi hotels and CST station in Mumbai, which we watched in despair.

These were followed by a different kind of attacks, no less shocking, closer home in Mangalore, when girls at Amnesia pub were beaten up; ostensibly by members of the Sri Ram Sene.

Then in Bengaluru, seven attacks in ten days on young women, many in Western clothing – the perpetrators punched and beat them and in one instance tried to tear off the girl’s clothing. Through all this, there was a series of murders of elderly citizens in the serene locality of Jayanagar.

How can we protect ourselves from such dangers and work with the Government to make Bengaluru once again the safe city it used to be? The solution to our safety and security issues has four pillars – increased vigilance, higher levels of organizational and individual preparedness, greater accountability and information sharing among people. It’s time for all of us to be involved.