NPD assigns more cops to patrol streets to prevent crime hike
In this part of Metro Manila, criminals should think twice before they strike.
With the holiday season fast approaching, the Northern Police District (NPD) has put in place several security measures to ensure public safety.
According to Senior Superintendent Wilson Amper, NPD deputy director for operations, troop deployment to “key areas” has been increased to prevent a hike in crimes—a common occurrence during the holiday season.
The NPD is in charge of maintaining peace and order in the cities of Caloocan, Malabon, Navotas and Valenzuela (Camanava).
“Historically, [crime incidence] increases when there are opportunities available. [During the holidays, people have] lots of money and there are lots of people [on the streets],” Amper told the Inquirer Monday.
He added that with the start of the Christmas season, the number of thefts and robberies usually go up in the Camanava area, along with cases of physical injury as drinking sessions and parties become more frequent.
Because of the trend, Amper said he has increased the deployment of policemen at public places or areas where people usually gather.
These include Rizal Avenue, EDSA and Samson Road in Caloocan City, he added.
Amper said 14 policemen each have been deployed at the first two major thoroughfares and six policemen on Samson Road to provide support to the city policemen previously assigned to these places.
The 34 policemen came from the Philippine National Police main headquarters.
On top of the additional lawmen, two teams of eight policemen each from the NPD’s Reformed Public Safety Battalion have been deployed at the Light Rail Transit stations in Monumento and on Rizal
Avenue.
In Valenzuela City, policemen have also been assigned on McArthur Highway as well as public places in Malabon and Navotas.
According to Amper, the “intensified deployment” will continue throughout the holidays.
He said that the added security was the result of an initial assessment made by police officials two weeks ago, which showed that troop deployment has a “positive impact” on crime incidence in those key areas.
