NCRPO names 21 'crime-prone' areas

MANILA, Philippines - The National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) has declared 21 places in Metro Manila as “crime-prone” areas, officials said yesterday.

These areas registered the highest number of crimes like theft, robbery and physical injuries in the first six months of the year, said Senior Superintendent Sotero Ramos Jr., chief of the NCRPO operations division.

Ramos identified the crime-prone areas as those under the jurisdiction of Police Community Precinct 10 in Bagong Silang, Caloocan City; PCP 4 in Barangay Tugatog, Malabon City; PCP 4 in North Bay Boulevard South, Navotas City; PCP 3 in Marulas, Valenzuela City; PCP 2 in Sto. Niño, Marikina City; PCP 4 in Pinagbuhatan, Pasig City; PCP 2 in Plainview, Mandaluyong City; PCP 1 in Greenhills, San Juan City; PCP 6 in Barangay Sto. Niño, Pasay City; PCP 6 in Ayala, Makati City; PCP 1 in Baclaran, Parañaque City, PCP 3 in Barangay Pamplona, Las Piñas City; PCP 2 in Alabang, Muntinlupa City and PCP 4 in Signal Village, Taguig City.

The crime-prone areas in Manila are those under the jurisdictions of Station 3 in Sta. Cruz; Station 4 in Sampaloc and Station 5 in Ermita. In Quezon City, they are in Station 2 in Baler; Station 6 in Batasan; Station 3 in Talipapa, and Station 10 in Kamuning.

NCRPO chief Director Alan Purisima said the 21 crime-prone areas would serve as their “pilot areas” in their bid to combat crime in Metro Manila. He directed the station and precinct commanders in these areas to “design measures” to meet their specific needs.

The NCRPO chief vowed to institute action plans to reduce crime in Metro Manila, especially those staged by motorcycle-riding perpetrators.

Purisima’s reaction came amid reports that the crime rate in Metro Manila rose by 9.18 percent in the second quarter of the year. At least 15,257 crimes were recorded in the second quarter of the year compared to the 13,974 figure listed in the first three months of 2012.

Records shows that 36.7 percent of the crimes committed were theft, 27.5 percent robbery and physical injury at 24.4 percent.

The Manila Police District has the most number of crimes at 4,073, with the Southern Police District close behind with 4,047 cases. The Quezon City Police District registered 3,692 crimes, the Northern Police District at 2,077 and the Eastern Police District the lowest at 1,368.