‘Bicycle Cops’ reactivated

THE Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) is reactivating the “Cops on Bicycles” program.

Under the program, policemen on bicycles will be fielded in tourists spots in the downtown area such as the Basilica Minore del Santo Niño, Magellan’s Cross, Plaza Independencia, Fort San Pedro and Pari-an.

“Our intention is to make our policemen assigned in tourist areas to be available for quicker response and increased visibility,” said Senior Supt. Noli Romana, chief of CCPO.

The program started in the ’90s which led to the apprehension of several crime suspects and even traffic violators.

“The bicycle concept is a proactive measure in consonance to the program of our regional director which is police presence. The presence of these roving policemen on bicycles will be a deterrence to criminal activities. The public could easily approach us. We also want to improve the level of trust and confidence of the public in us,” said Senior Insp. Florendo Fajardo, chief of the Tourist Police Unit.

Twelve bicycles worth at least P10,000 each were donated to the TPU, which holds office in front of the legislative building of the Cebu City Hall.

According to Romana, the bicycles were donated by private businessmen who promised to donate 12 more bicycles and 20 radio equipment.

Twenty-four policemen from the 11 police stations in the city will beef up TPU, which currently has seven personnel. They will be fielded for 24 hours at two shifts a day.

“The volunteers are usually PO1s and PO2s. They are trained in using the bikes,” said Fajardo, who served as chief of police in Tuburan town before he was transferred to the CCPO last Aug. 15 and then to TPU last Sept. 1./CORRESPONDENT JOSE SANTINO S. BUNACHITO