‘CCTV cameras curb crimes in QC by 89%’

MANILA, Philippines - Quezon City Rep. Winston Castelo has expressed satisfaction over the marked decrease in crimes in 25 subdivisions in District 2, where closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras were installed as part of a project.

Castelo, in a statement, said he used his Priority Development Assistance Fund to install CCTV cameras in these subdivisions as part of the Watch Community project.

In a statement, Castelo cited the Nov. 19 report of Superintendent Ronnie Montejo, station commander of Quezon City Police District Station 6 in Batasan, who reported an 89 percent decrease in crimes after the installation of the CCTV cameras.

From 88 crimes recorded for the first half of 2012, the incidents went down to 10 after the CCTV cameras were installed in July, Montejo said.

 “The Watch Community is an attempt to use modern technology and people power to patrol and protect specific communities and deter criminal elements from committing crimes,” Castelo said.

All CCTV cameras have been hooked up to Station 6, allowing police officers to monitor the subdivisions in real time, Castelo said.

Castelo said a monitoring room is manned by trained police officers and a special access number was set up for the exclusive use by residents to enable prompt response from police.

He said signages are posted at the entry points of these subdivisions to warn criminals that the subdivisions are accredited members of Watch Community.

The project could be studied for possible replication in other urban areas in the country, Castelo said.