Crime volume down by 21%

The National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) reported yesterday that a total of 3,777 crime incidents took place in Metro Manila during the first quarter of the year, a 21.13 percent drop from the 4,789 recorded in the same period last year.

Briefing Metro Manila mayors at a Makati City hotel, Metro police chief Deputy Director General Avelino Razon Jr. attributed the decline in crime volume in the metropolis in the last five years to his innovative Compstat (computer statistics) program.

Under Compstat, top police commanders of the NCRPO gather each Friday at Camp Bagong Diwa in Bicutan to discuss nothing but crime-related topics, identifying crime-prone areas as well as the time of day and day of the week when crimes are most often committed. They then implement counter-measures.

In his report, Razon said the average monthly crime rate (AMCR) for the period is 12.71 crime incidents per 100,000 population, which is a 3.4 percent reduction from figures listed in 2004.

A total of 3,452 cases were solved or had been filed by the police, or a 91.40 percent crime solution efficiency.

On index crimes like murder, homicide, physical injuries, rape, robbery and theft, the NCRPO listed 2,207 incidents with 1,985 being solved. The figure is lower by 9.84 percent from the incidents recorded in 2004.

On non-index crimes such as illegal drugs, illegal gambling, estafa, swindling, and car theft, a total of 1,570 incidents were recorded with 1,467 being solved for a 93.44 percent crime solution efficiency.

The figure is 32.93 percent lower that the 2,341 incidents recorded last year.

On high-profile crimes, only one kidnapping-for-ransom incident was recorded, and five bank robberies reported.

The Northern Police District (NPD) recorded the highest number of crime incidents, closely followed by the Southern and the Central Police Districts. "Our implementation of Compstat has significantly reduced the occurrence of crimes for the first quarter of the year," Razon told the Metro mayors.

"With the use of crime mapping, we have identified the crime-prone areas in the metropolis to include the time of day as well as the day of the week that crimes occur."

Armed with this information, NCRPO police commanders are able to adjust and maximize the utilization of their men and resources to ensure that they concentrate in areas where they are most needed.

"The significant 21.13 percent drop in crime volume is a manifestation of the success of these crime prevention innovations in boosting our campaign against lawless elements operating in Metro Manila," Razon said.

Through the Compstat program, Razon reported that bank robbery gangs and other criminal groups have shifted their operations to the nearby province of Central and Southern Luzon.

But their days are numbered as officials of the Police Regional Offices 3 and 4-A are set to adopt Compstat in their commands.

"It is significant to note that the big decrease in crimes in Metro Manila in the last quarter of 2004 and the first quarter of 2005 helped the economy as witnessed by the 5.5 percent GNP growth this year," Razon pointed out.

Manila Mayor Lito Atienza affirmed the reduction of crime incidents in his jurisdiction.

Pasay City Mayor Wenceslao Trinidad has adopted the program and donated P50,000 to the local police for the purpose.