CEBU, Philippines - Alarmed over petty crime incidents in the city’s streets, the Cebu City Council wants to revive the bicycle riding police patrol to “effectively and efficiently discharge anti-criminality and peacekeeping efforts to the satisfaction of the community.”
Councilors Augustus “Jun” Pe Jr. and Richard Osmeña, who sponsored the resolution, said that in the past, these were seen patrolling on the streets on board bicycles but such practice is no longer visible today.
The two councilors said deployment of bicycle-riding policemen will boost police visibility and consequently, it will protect the welfare of its residents, tourist and guests.
“It is imperative to be revived. It is believed that these police officers on bicycles can provide assistance to those who need them as quickly, safely and effectively as possible,” the councilors said.
Pe, chairman of the committee on peace and order, and the vice chairman of the Police Coordinating Council, said the cops-on-bicycle was first introduced during the administration of then mayor Tomas Osmeña.
He said the bicycle cops were a common sight years ago in the city but he wasn’t sure why it was discontinued.
Pe said he will inform the city police, during their PCAC meeting this week, on the revival of the cops on bicycles to patrol all areas of the city. He added that aside from preventing crimes, it would also be a good form of exercise for police officers.
City Traffic Operations Management chairman Sylvan Jakosalem said last year, he requested Supt. Pablo Labra III of the Cebu City Police Office for the revival of the bicycle policemen.
Jakosalem, who chaired the City Council’s committee on transportation when he was still councilor, said the bicycle cops was discontinued because its former members were already reassigned to different police units of the city police like Special Weapons and Tactics. (THE FREEMAN)