Metro street crimes down 48%

Street crimes in Metro Manila went down by 48 percent during the first six months of the year, according to the National Capital Regional Police Office (NCRPO).

Metro police chief Director Ricardo de Leon said the reduction in street crimes was a result of the tactical application of the NCRPO Transformation Master Plan 2004-2005, made up of various projects launched early this year.

Among the projects were the "Kalye, Kuya Ko 2" and the KASAMA concept of policing, which institutionalizes the conduct of chokepoints, checkpoints and walk-the-beat patrols that includes the community as partners in crime prevention and control.

The Kalye concept is the first phase of the master plan that effectively placed more cops in Metro Manila’s streets for increased visibility.

"The tremendous reduction of street crimes is proof that our sustained campaign against criminality, reinforced by our philosophy of providing quality service to our constituents has been truly effective," De Leon said. "The challenge now for the NCRPO is to sustain this campaign without the barest hint of laxity."

Based on crime statistics, total street crimes recorded during the first semester in Metro Manila was at 2,779, compared to 5,368 in the same period last year.

Cellular phone snatchings went down from 376 last year to 254 cases this year, or a reduction of 32.44 percent.

Other incidents that registered downward trend were jewelry snatching cases from 252 incidents to 155 cases; bukas-kotse from 27 cases to four; bag snatchings from 126 incidents to 114, and purse snatchings from 53 cases to 35. Various theft cases such as laglag-barya, salisi, pickpocketing, and car parts theft were reduced from 639 incidents to 336, the report said.

Swindling cases, such as budol-budol, also dropped from 13 incidents last year to three this year.

De Leon said the period under consideration covers the entire first phase of the transformation plan, with the pro-active kuya or big brother mindset.

"As a kuya to any citizen in the community, while walking the beat in his jurisdiction, a cop epitomizes a rightful and watchful man who will not tolerate any wrongdoing in his area," De Leon explained. "In effect, this characterizes a modern NCRPO cop determined to win the streets and keep the Metro Manila families safe."

Despite their success, however, De Leon said they cannot lower their guard against criminality, and instead they should work harder to make the streets safe for the citizenry.