Anticrime info drive kicks off in malls

With the start of the “Ber” months, the National Police Commission (Napolcom) has brought its crime prevention campaign to malls.

According to Napolcom public information officer Cristina Tan, the information dissemination drive is part of the celebration of the 23rd National Crime Prevention Week (NCPW) with the theme “Pamayanang Mapagmasid, Kapayapaan ang Maihahatid (A watchful community will lead to peace).”

Napolcom Vice Chair and Executive Officer Rogelio Casurao said that the weeklong celebration would stress the vital role of every stakeholder in preventing crimes.

Cooperation is the key

The activities also aim to put in place a community and service-oriented policing (CSOP) system, he said.

“The Napolcom, together with the Department of the Interior and Local Government, carefully planned and mapped out a series of activities for this year’s NCPW celebration to ensure the continuous development and implementation of crime prevention programs, thus rousing the community’s participation in creating a secure and safe environment for all,” Casurao added.

On Friday, the Napolcom spearheaded the distribution of information, education and communication materials in malls at the Araneta Center in Cubao, Quezon City. The activity will be conducted until Sept. 6 in other shopping establishments, including SM Megamall, SM Mall of Asia, SM San Lazaro, and the Victory Mall-Monumento.

According to Tan, they want to “remind the public that crime prevention starts with them” particularly with the start of the “Ber” months which lead up to the holiday season.

Alertness a must

“What is important is to be always alert,” she said, pointing out that this should be the case when people are out shopping for Christmas gifts.

One of the tips she offered to avoid falling prey to criminals was to avoid displaying one’s wallet in front of other people.

Another tip: Keep your house keys handy before getting off a taxi so you can quickly enter your home. You can also ask the taxi driver to wait until you enter your house before driving away.

Apart from going on a mall tour for the crime prevention information drive, the Napolcom will also distribute whistles today in different schools in Metro Manila under its program “Pito Tayo Laban sa Krimen.”

Participating schools include the Valenzuela City School of Mathematics and Science High School; Manila Science High School; Parañaque National High School Main; Judge Juan Luna High School; and a public high school in Pasig City.

Tan explained: “The whistle is small but it is very important to call attention if you need help or are in danger of falling victim to crime.”