Police ‘text hotline’ launched

The Northern Police District Office (NPDO), which has jurisdiction over the Caloocan-Malabon-Navotas-Valenzuela (Camanava) area, has taken a modern approach to crime fighting.

Dubbed as ‘Xprs Police Txt," the project is intended to make crime reporting easier through the use of text messaging available in all mobile phones.

"The project’s main objective is to disseminate crime situations of great interest to public safety and make police respond to them quickly," said NPD director Senior Superintendent Marcelino Franco Jr.

He noted that the idea was lifted from various text-based contests on radio and television which encourage viewers and listeners to respond to promotional campaigns.

The easy access that mobile phone technology provides to users inspired the NPD director to adopt the method in effecting prompt and immediate police response to emergency situations.

Franco said that through Xprs Police Txt, any person with a mobile phone can report crimes, suspicious bags or packages, traffic situationers and other vital information.

He urged residents to text in crime reports and other police-related information through the following numbers: Caloocan City, 0919-3409175; Malabon City, 0919-437177; Navotas, 0916-9197755; Valenzuela City, 0919-2225969; and the District Tactical Operations Center, 0920-3138133.

Franco issued a stern warning against persons who access the numbers for prank messages.

"The NPD means serious business in this project. Any message or call that might not be able to get through because of practical jokes may result in loss of human lives," he stressed. – Jerry Botial, Pete Laude