Police help desks in schools reduce campus crime cases–NCRPO

No crime incidents were recorded in Metro Manila public schools since the opening of classes last week, the National Capital Regional Police Office (NCRPO) said.

Safety mechanism

NCRPO chief, Director Leonardo Espina attributed the generally peaceful opening of classes to police assistance desks (PADs) set up in all public schools and the close coordination between school officials and policemen on safety and security issues.

Police presence

He said policemen deployed at PADs are on hand all the time to assist students and school officials in case security problems crop up.

The PADs also aim to protect students from snatchers, pickpockets and other street crimes, Espina added.

Coordination

Similar to what the NCRPO installed in public schools in the metropolis, PADs were also in place on Monday in all highly populated private schools and  universities and colleges with a big student population.

This was also done in close coordination with school authorities.

Deployment

“We expect the zero criminality situation to be sustained until everything has normalized after the opening of classes,” Espina said in a statement.

Elsewhere in Metro Manila, the police official has ordered the police district directors to continue their anticrime operations, as well as sustain the deployment of law enforcers in the streets.

DILG goal

“We will not take anything for granted. We are one with the goal of the DILG (Department of Interior and Local Government) for zero casualties with the start of the school year,” Espina said.

Although the NCRPO has reported a zero crime rate in schools, an Inquirer story five days ago said a high school senior was stabbed dead in  Taguig City.

Cutting class

It was reported that the student had skipped his classes on that day when he  was killed.