Manila cops use GPS in anti-crime drive

In about four minutes, a mobile patrol crew of the Manila Police District responded to a robbery in progress in San Andres, beating the seven-minute response time required by MPD director Chief Superintendent Roberto Rosales of his policemen.

The MPD’s quick response capability was a result of the installation of global positioning system (GPS) devices in all MPD patrol vehicles which have been configured to automatically report their location every minute so the dispatchers can determine exactly which vehicle to send and respond to the incident.

The first in the history of the country’s police force, the GPS device and the CityWatch service was widely applauded and received by businessmen who witnessed a press briefing in the newly renovated and modernized District Tactical Operations Center (DTOC) yesterday morning.

Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Avelino Razon Jr., National Capital Region Police Office chief Director Geary Barias, Operations head Chief Superintendent Silverio Alarcio and other ranking police and government officials took turns in commending Rosales for his pet project.

“The concept (GPS and CityWatch) was early on conceived even during my terms as MPD chief, but technology and resources prevented us to implement it at that time. I am happy that it has now come to full fruition under Boysie’s (Rosales) initiative. We shall follow the lead so we can upgrade the standard in solving crime,” Razon said.

The DTOC, which serves as the “war room” or command and control center of the MPD, underwent a complete renovation and modernization under Rosales’ leadership.

With the new system, MPD personnel can immediately view from a digital map the location of incidents reported and dispatch the nearest available police vehicle through the GPS devices. The GPS installed in all MPD patrol vehicles have been configured to automatically report their location every minute, so the dispatchers can determine exactly which vehicle to send and respond to the incident. If mobile cars are not available, foot patrols have also been equipped with new handheld radios so the dispatcher can also radio them to respond.

With CityWatch, residents, commercial, industrial and other business establishments can subscribe to the service by purchasing GPS tracking devices and wireless alarm systems, panic buttons, and digital video recorders. Once included in the system, the alarm devices can automatically notify dispatchers of break-ins or robberies.

For individuals and companies requiring higher security needs, they can also acquire wireless digital video recorders and cameras and feed live video to DTOC’s flat screen televisions. CityWatch operates 24 hours everyday without holidays and subscribers are assured of continuous service. All devices compatible with CityWatch system can either be purchased cash or through a postpaid plan from the partner phone companies of MPD.

Also yesterday morning, Razon donated new anti-crime equipment to the MPD’s Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) to “boost its crime-fighting capability.”

“I do have a soft spot in my heart for the MPD having been district director here twice in the past,” Razon said in his speech.