PCAC asks city police to come up with estimates for security system

The Cebu City Police Coordinating and Advisory Council has asked the city police to lay down the expenditures that business establishments will possibly incur should they be required to install security equipment.

The other day, the Cebu City Police Office asked the City Council to pass an ordinance that would make mandatory for establishments in the city to secure security cameras and alarm system.

But Councilor Procopio Fernandez, chairman of the council committee on police, penology, fire, and public safety, said the city police should be able to present to PCAC an estimate of the prices of the equipment that establishments need to put up.

Fernandez said he has already filed a similar proposal before but it was set aside following objection by stakeholders during a public hearing. The storeowners contended that requiring them to put up the equipment would be financially burdensome.

However, Fernandez said he would be willing to revive his proposal if the police assessment of expenditures would prove to be practical. He said the report of city police director Melvin Gayotin would also allow the council to present something to the stakeholders once the proposal undergoes a public hearing.

Among those the police initially identified to be required with the security system include banks, pawnshops, lending firms and retail stores. Gayotin contended that if installing a security system would be mandatory, identifying perpetrators of criminal activities would be easier with the help of surveillance cameras.

Last month alone, armed men robbed four money lending firms in Cebu City, including the Alano and Sons Finance Corporation along Escario Street, G.A. Countryside Corporation along T. Padilla Street, A-1 Finance Corporation along Osmeña Boulevard and Asialink Finance Corporation along General Maxilom Avenue. - Joeberth M. Ocao