Makati launches new anti-crime drive

The Makati Police Department will implement starting this Monday "Project Clean Motorbike" to monitor and regulate users of motorcycles in a bid to reduce crime in the city.

Makati police chief Superintendent Gilbert Cruz said the police will place stickers with control numbers on all motorcycles passing through the city.

Cruz said the stickers will only be attached once policemen verify the authenticity of the certificate of registration (CR) and original receipt (OR) of each motorcycle. Policemen will also take photographs of the license plate of each motorcycle.

A sign bearing the words "no CR/OR, no sticker" will be attached to motorcycles whose riders fail to produce the proper documents. The riders will also be investigated, he said.

"Through the project, we aim to curtail robbery-holdup incidents committed by suspects riding in tandem. Likewise, we want to easily detect cases of stolen motorbikes," Cruz said.

He said the sticker campaign will be implemented at all police checkpoints in Makati.

Mayor Jejomar Binay earlier ordered Cruz to intensify the campaign against crimes in the city, especially those perpetrated by motorcycle-riding men.

The Makati City government allocates money for additional firearms, ammunition and bomb suits for the police force, and also provides other incentives for its policemen such as P3,000 monthly allowance, free oral care and free access to English proficiency classes in the University of Makati.

With the city government’s support, the Makati police has registered a steady drop in crime rates from 597 cases in 2004, 435 in 2005 and 430 last year.

The Makati police force’s crime solution efficiency rose to 95 percent in 2006, compared to 94 percent and 93 percent in 2005 and 2004, respectively.

"However, we should not be complacent when it comes to crime prevention and keeping peace and order. New operations such as this Project Clean Motorbike will help ensure the safety and security of Makati," Binay said.