To maximize street visibility: Cops using drones

CEBU, Philippines — The Police Regional Office in Central Visayas has a new strategy to increase police visibility -- urban and drone patrolling.

Police Lt. Col. Gerard Ace Pelare, spokesperson of PRO-7 Regional Director Brigadier General Beares, said that the goal of urban and drone patrolling is to maximize police visibility on the streets and other parts of Central Visayas.

This, as Bearis emphasized that he wants PRO-7 to have a police force that can be seen and heard everywhere.

"Kining urban patrolling, this is actually a strategy wherein mobile forces will be deployed in urban areas to make sure that the people can access the police anytime," said Pelare.

"Makita ninyo naa tay mga patrollers in squad maglakaw-lakaw sa atong city streets, sa atong mga identified areas of convergence to increase our presence in the community," he added.

Pelare said that the 34 PNP personnel have also been trained to become drone pilots.  Six drones are currently operational and some of them are operated by civilians.

According to PRO-7, urban and drone patrolling has helped in reducing crimes. In fact, last week alone, crime volume dropped by 49 percent in the region.

This, Pelare said, shows that urban and drone patrol is effective as it maximizes the police presence in Central Visayas.

Pelare's statements were in line with the statement of DILG Secretary Abalos that they will have more police visibility due to the series of crimes that happened in some areas of the country.

"Actually mao nay thrust ni DILG Secretary since the beginning to increase police presence. If you can remember, in his visit in Central Visayas, mao man gyud ni iyahang gi-emphasize and of course the RD PRO-7 is in line with instruction of the SILG and Chief PNP. He introduced urban patrolling so mao gyud ni purpose ani -- to make sure nga ang atong streets, atong areas of convergence and all parts of the region ma-maximize gyud ang police presence," said Pelare.

Likewise, Pelare said that the non-stop operation of the police against illegal drugs, illegal gambling and other illegal activities helped to reduce peace and order crimes.

The support of the community, which is the source of data and information at the Center for Public Safety and Analysis in PRO-7, is also a big help, he said. --/JMD (FREEMAN)