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[av_heading heading=’More security cameras, cops vs crimes’ tag=’h3′ style=’blockquote modern-quote’ size=” subheading_active=’subheading_below’ subheading_size=’15’ padding=’10’ color=” custom_font=”]
BY MAE SINGUAY
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BACOLOD City – City hall is boosting security across the metro by installing more closed-circuit television cameras.
The Sangguniang Panlungsod, on the other hand, asked the Police Regional Office 18 to deploy more officers here and the mayor’s office to post signage indicating ways to contact the authorities.
Crimes are alarming enough but unsolved crimes are more disturbing, according to Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran.
Until now the police have yet to identify and catch the culprits in at least three recent crimes:
* the shooting in Barangay 28 on Dec. 20, 2016 that killed two men
* the robbery of the JDS Mindoro Enterprises Corp. in Barangay 13 on Dec. 25, 2016 that killed the son of the department store owner and a security guard
* the shooting of Northern Negros Electric Cooperative area manager Engr. Simon Peter Abalayan in Barangay Bata on Jan. 3
All of the suspects were using motorcycles, according to the Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO).
Familiaran is leading Task Force Bantay Negosyo, a group formed in light of the fatal JDS robbery to formulate plans to ensure the safety and security of business establishments and their owners.
He disclosed that the city government plans to install 32 additional security cameras on major streets.
Right now Bacolod has 15 security cameras, but only eight — installed on some intersections — are functioning.
Aside from crimes, the security cameras will also monitor traffic and flooding.
Familiaran believes this will deter crimes, especially in the barangays.
But while he acknowledged that the recent crimes are among the local government’s pressing problems, the vice mayor stressed that these cases are “isolated” and the city remains “peaceful.”
Crimes have reduced, based on monthly reports the BCPO submits to the City Peace and Order Council, Familiaran said. He did not elaborate.
Bacolod needs additional police officers to “adequately provide security and protection and prevent crimes,” said Councilor Em Ang.
With 644 officers in charge of a population of 579,101, the police-civilian ratio in the city is one for every 917, Ang said.
“It is apparent that the current size of our police force is grossly inadequate to provide security and protection for a highly urbanized city,” she said.
“While the city government has mobilized force multipliers at the barangay level, police visibility is still the most effective deterrent to criminal elements and activities,” she added.
Moreover, Mayor Evelio Leonardia’s office was asked to put up on conspicuous places signage showing the contact information of all police and fire stations, military headquarters, and hospitals, among other agencies that may be reached during emergencies.
Emergencies and crimes and other forms of violence disturb peace and require prompt response from the authorities, said Councilor Ricardo Tan.
Hotlines or telephone numbers, cell phone numbers, email addresses, and websites of concerned agencies must be stated in the signage, which may be placed on posts, intersections, subdivision entrances, and highways, among others, Tan said./PN
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