DUMAGUETE CITY -- The Dumaguete City police has received PHP600,000 worth of equipment to be used in its anti-criminality campaign.
“This is the least that we can do to help our citizens feel safe and sleep soundly at night,” Dumaguete Mayor Felipe Antonio Remollo said during simple turnover rites held at the Pantawan along Rizal Blvd. here on Monday afternoon.
Turned over to Dumaguete City police chief, Supt. Jonathan Pineda, were six body cameras, six bulletproof vests, and two drones with military specifications.
Forthcoming are 250-cc. brand new motorcycles, and a brand new Strada pickup vehicle to enhance the mobility of the city police.
To help the police deter crimes, more than 350 CCTV cameras will also be installed all over the city and will be in operation within 10 months, Remollo said.
He appealed to the police to take care of the equipment that will enhance their security and safety during anti-drugs operations, among others.
The mayor said the body cameras are equally important as the bulletproof vests in allaying fears and insinuations of excesses by law enforcers during police operations.
The drones, on the other hand, are not only needed during police operations, but during calamities, and other activities related to public order, including traffic, he added.
The city peace and order council had earlier turned over 30 radio transceivers to the police.
Even before the installation of the CCTV cameras, Remollo told the Bids and Awards Committee (BAC) to already draft the terms and reference of the most modern traffic lights and WiFi system in the city’s public places, as well as the putting up of electronic billboards to transform Dumaguete into a smart city.
Remollo said members of the BAC will be given the opportunity to visit Metro Manila, especially the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority to see for themselves the most modern traffic lights in the country and to decide what would suit Dumaguete.
He said it is not necessary to put traffic lights in every corner of the city, but rather on busy streets and choke points. (PNA)
