BAGUIO CITY – The Baguio City Police Office (BCPO) reported that with the active support of stakeholders and force multipliers there was a significant decrease in crimes, coupled with the improved crime solution efficiency, for the first eleven months of this year.
Senior Superintendent Ramil L. Saculles, BCPO City Director, said from January to November this year, the total crime volume recorded was 3,220 incidents which was lower by 2,657 crimes, equivalent to a 47% decrease compared to the same period last year where 6,077 crimes were recorded.
For index crimes during the said period, Saculles said a total of 676 crimes were recorded reflecting a decrease of 1,597 incidents or 70% decline compared to the same period last year where there were 2,273 incidents.
For non-index crimes, the police official reported a 33% decrease which was equivalent to 1,260 crimes incidents compared to last year’s record of 3,804 crimes.
Saculles noted crimes against property, theft cases remained the most prevalent in the city, however, incidents recorded during the period decreased by 1021 crimes or 76% compared to the same period last year.
Further, he reported robbery decreased by 263 incidents or 80% from the 326 incidents, with only 63 crimes this year, and carnapping cases decreased by 44 incidents, equivalent to a 78% decrease.
On crimes against persons, physical injuries was the most prevalent crime but there was still a decrease of 241 incidents from 476 to 235 crimes equivalent to 50% decrease.
However, rape cases recorded an increase of 1 case from 40 to 41 incidents during the period, homicide decreased by 9 incidents from 22 to 13 incidents, and murder significantly decreased by 20 cases or 90% with only 2 incidents during the period.
The BCPO official also recorded an improved crime clearance efficiency with an average of 84%, which was higher by 34% compared to the 50% during the same period last year, while the crime solution efficiency also improved this year with an average of 62% which was also higher by 23% compared to the 39% crime solution efficiency last year.
According to him, the significant improvement in crime solution efficiency and the tremendous decrease in the index crime volume and the total crime volume could be attributed to the implementation of the different anti-criminality plans and programs, such as the intensified implementation of Oplan Cross Rider, which is the conduct of massive checkpoint operations to seal all ingress and egress to and from the city; the use of the geographic information system-based crime analysis wherein deliberate deployment of police personnel in reflectorized vests along the identified hot spots or focus areas during the peak hours; the revitalized implementation of Oplan Rizal to rescue the youth from vices related incidents or children in conflict with the law through the close coordination with the local government and the City Social Welfare and Development office; and the execution of Project Tower and motorcycle response team, among others.
By Dexter A. See
