City police record decrease in crimes

The Cebu City Police Office has recorded a decrease in the city''s crime volume for the first quarter this year compared to the same period last year.

CPPO''s crime statistic report for the first quarter showed that crime volume declined by 26.52 percent. A significant decrease was recorded on crime against person at 30 percent, while the crime against properties at 27 percent.

The report also showed an improvement of the city police''s crime solution efficiency from 49 percent during the first quarter last year to 63 percent for the same period this year.

Comparative statistics on index crime showed that about 42 murder cases were recorded in the first quarter of 2006 while only 13 in the same period this year.

Reported homicide cases were only 10 in first quarter last year while only seven during the same period this year. Physical injuries were recorded at 206 cases last year while only 153 this year.

But cases of rape dramatically increased to eight during the first quarter this year compared to only one in the same period last year.

Police recorded over 200 robbery cases during the first quarter last year compared to 132 in the same period this year. Theft cases were recorded at 543 during last year''s first quarter while only 403 in the same period this year.

Non-index crime has reached to 393 in the first quarter last year but only 296 during the same period this year. Crime volume in the first quarter last year reached to 1,395 cases compared to 1,025 in the same period this year.

The record also said the police solved about 700 cases of crimes in the first quarter of 2006 compared to only 644 in the same period this year.

Acting city police director Patrocinio Comendador attributed the decrease in crime volume to their night patrol in which CCPO personnel will have to render one night of service a week in addition to their daily job.

Police also noted a decline in murder cases after the vigilantes have stopped their operation in the city.

Among the major robberies that the police were able to solve were those of Yusay Lending Corp. in January and the Asian Spirit ticketing office on February 3.

Of the major robbery cases in the first quarter of this year, only the one against the Dranix Incorporated of barangay Basak remained unsolved.

Last Tuesday, the police solved the robbery of the Exquisite Pawnshop in barangay Pardo following the arrest of the six robbers. - Flor Z. Perolina/LPM