Bicycle cops to make a comeback
By Princess Dawn H. Felicitas, the SunStar, Philippines, Friday, September 6, 2013
THE Cebu City Government and the Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) yesterday launched cops on bicycles. Mayor Michael Rama turned over 12 mountain bikes to 12 members of CCPO’s Tourist Police Unit (TPU) before CCPO Director Senior Supt. Noli Romana. Romana said the mountain bikes cost P10,000 each.
He said the City and the Province each bought six bicycles. Preventive measure Senior Insp.
Florindo Fajardo, TPU head, said bicycle cops will be deployed in different tourist spots in the city, particularly the Magellan’s Cross, Plaza Independencia and Fort San Pedro.
“The bicycle cop’s presence in our tourist spots will give assurance to the public that they are safe. This is a preventive measure against crimes, particularly snatching incidents, since it will increase police visibility and an increase in police visibility will help in the deterrence of crimes,” Fajardo said in Cebuano. According to Fajardo, more bicycles will be given to the TPU so all 24 members of the unit will have bicycles.
Romana said there are members of the private sector who are willing to help with the purchase of additional bikes.
“They are willing to help us as long as the police will do their job,” he said.
The City deployed bicycle cops in the past to help curb street crimes but the practice was stopped after the bicycles broke down.
Road map
Meanwhile, Rama called to a command conference all station commanders of the 11 police stations in the city and Romana and Fajardo. During the meeting, Rama instructed them to come up with a road map, or plan of action, to ensure peace and order in the city.
The plan will include, among others, the involvement of barangays and the community in addressing crimes. The mayor said he expects them to submit the plan of action when he returns from an official trip to Taipei, Taiwan. Rama will leave the country today and is expected to be back on Sept. 12.