BATANGAS CITY – This city’s police force is set to re-launch and intensify its “bike patrol” project on Aug. 30 at the city’s Plaza Mabini amphitheater to maximize police visibility and avert crimes.
City chief of police Supt. Sancho Celedio said Thursday that the re-launching is timed during the first ever “Police Service Day” celebration in the city, and in observance of the 117th Police Service Anniversary this month.
“Even before the launching, we’ll make sure that we will be felt in the streets. Iba pa rin na nararamdaman ng mga tao ang kapulisan lalo na sa mga oras na kailangan kami lalo kapag labasan sa eskwelahan ng mga estudyante at paglabas sa opisina ng mga nagtatrabaho (It is crucial that the people feel the police presence especially in times of need after school class hours and office work),” said Celedio.
He said that bike patrol constitutes two police bike-riding teams, each using the 10 refurbished mountain bikes by cops who volunteered to render extra duty hours.
He said the bike patrol will be deployed near the campus areas since students are prone to unscrupulous individuals. Based on the police social media monitoring, student-victims use social media to post the crime incidents instead of reporting it to authorities because of fear.
Celedio said the city police station is also proposing to institutionalize the bike patrol through the city’s Local Anti Crime Action Plan (LACAP), which will be presented to the Sangguniang Panglungsod (city legislative council) for legislation as a regular project with the appropriate budget, regardless of any change in the city police station leadership.
City Councilor Armando Lazarte and Association of Barangay Captains (ABC) president and Councilor Dondon Dimacuha have expressed full support to the police bike patrol project and expect the bike patrol cops to undertake training to capacitate their skills and intervention techniques.
The city chief of police also disclosed the biggest decline in the number of crime incidents on record in July, citing a record low of at least two crime incidents reported per week.
To sustain this, the Batangas City PNP will establish the “blue box”, which serves as a suggestion box the public could use to provide validated information on drug-related incidents and crime activities.
“This is one way to enhance crime reporting business and to measure the level of confidence of the citizens in the Batangas City Police,” added Celedio.
He also encouraged the public to contact or text the police hotline numbers and visit their social media accounts.
The city police force is also due to receive by month’s end logistical equipment from their stakeholder partners, such as a Hyundai van from the city government and a pick up vehicle from the Bureau of Customs (BOC)-Batangas port area, to augment police mobility in their operations and during disaster or calamity situations.
Some 10 breath analyzers will also be turned over during the launching event as police use these gadgets as evidence in court proceedings against intoxicated drivers, knowing “drunk driving” is one of the primary causes of traffic accidents in the province.
“Highlight din ng okasyon ito ang pag-uulat ng accomplishment ng “men and women” of Batangas City PNP at pagkakataon upang mapasalamatan ang kanilang mga stakeholders (The occasion will also highlight the accomplishments of the “men and women” of the Batangas City PNP as opportunity to express their gratitude to their stakeholders),” Celedio said. (Maroe T. Genosa/PNA)
