DROP IN INDEX CRIMES. Col. Romeo Baleros (left), director of Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office, and Col. Henry Biñas, director of Bacolod City Police Office note a significant drop in the index crime volume from January to December last year. Data on local crime situations provided by the two units on Tuesday (Jan. 7, 2020) showed that index crimes in Bacolod slid by 41.88 percent, and in Negros Occidental, by 22.35 percent. (PNA Bacolod file photo)
BACOLOD CITY -- The Bacolod City Police (BCPO) and the Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office (NOCPPO) have reported a notable decrease in index crime volume here from January to December last year.
These include the eight focus crimes – murder, homicide, physical injury, rape, robbery, theft, car, and motorcycle theft – which are also considered as crimes against persons and property.
Data on local crime situations provided by the two units on Tuesday showed that in Bacolod, capital of the province, index crimes dropped by 41.88 percent while in Negros Occidental, which covers 12 cities and 19 municipalities, the reduction was 22.35 percent.
Col. Henry Biñas, city police director, said 2019 was challenging for the Bacolod police in some aspects, yet the city has generally been very peaceful, with a decrease of 35.4 percent in total crime volume from 2018.
“When it comes to index crimes, which serve as the barometer of the peace and order situation in a particular area, there’s a significant decrease in cases of theft, robbery, and motor-napping, but there is a slight increase in murder and homicide,” he added.
Figures showed that in 2019, a total of 365 index crimes have been recorded, which is lower by 41.88 percent compared to the 628 cases in 2018.
The number of robberies went down from 136 cases to 77; theft, from 260 to 132; physical injury, 114 to 50; rape, 67 to 53; and motorcycle theft, 16 to six.
On the other hand, murder increased from 24 to 31; homicide, 10 to 14; and car theft, one to two.
“Our examination of murder cases showed that most of the angles and motives are drug-related,” Biñas said, attributing the lower total index crime volume to the aggressive campaign of the police against illegal drugs.
In Negros Occidental, Col. Romeo Baleros, police provincial director, said there were 820 cases of eight focus crimes in 2019, which is lower by 236 compared to 1,056 reported in the past year.
The drop in index crimes can be attributed to the implementation of enhanced managing police operations, including focus directives on the campaign against illegal drugs.
“All other crimes have decreased except for murder, which increased by five cases -- from 195 to 200. This is something we have to consider this year,” Baleros said.
In the province, homicide cases dropped from 84 to 59; robbery, 132 to 96; theft, 208 to 149; physical injury, 262 to152; rape, 144 to 138; car theft, three to two; motorcycle theft, 28 to 24.
Eight out of the 12 city police stations reported lower index crimes, which drastically improved the crime situation of Negros Occidental, Baleros said.
The highest decrease has been monitored in Himamaylan City, 55.93 percent; Kabankalan City, 43.37 percent; and La Carlota City, 48.58 percent.
“We will enhance our intelligence-driven police operations, campaign against loose firearms, and deter crime with our police visibility and efficient use of Integrated Patrol Deployment Plan,” Baleros added. (PNA)
