QCPD: Locks outside shops attract criminals

MANILA, Philippines - Locks placed outside shops are not only inadequate protection against burglars, but could even attract them, the Quezon City Police District (QCPD) said yesterday.

“The best deterrent is for them to post, if possible, guards or employees to man the shops at night. Because if burglars see that a particular shop is locked, they will automatically think that it is unmanned and therefore easy to break into,” said Superintendent Marcelino Pedrozo Jr., head of the QCPD- District Police Intelligence Operating Unit.

Pedrozo and Chief Inspector Enrico Figueroa issued the warning after police recorded a number of break-ins at establishments along Tandang Sora Avenue perpetrated by burglars using bolt cutters.

Two suspected burglars, who were seen taking computer central processing units from an Internet shop along Tandang Sora Avenue, were killed in an encounter with police last weekend.

Pedrozo said shop owners should install surveillance cameras and alarm systems to deter burglars.  – Reinir Padua