Crime rate down in Manila’s tourist belt

The crime rate in the tourist belt area in Ermita, Manila has significantly declined as the police station’s crime solution efficiency rate has consistently gone up, statistics gathered by The STAR showed.

According to Western Police District’s (WPD) Station 5 chief Senior Superintendent Elmer Jamias, who has jurisdiction over the tourist belt area, said that the best proof of this is the absence of high-profile crimes involving tourists recently.

Statistics showed that the total number of crimes in the area dropped by as much as 41 percent. From January to June this year, there were only 158 cases recorded as compared to the 348 recorded for the same period last year.

Crime solution efficiency was also pegged at 93 percent as against last year’s 88.7 percent.

The creation of Task Force Taft Avenue and the fielding of Tourist Oriented Police force by Metro police chief Director Ricardo de Leon also contributed to the maintenance of peace and order in places frequented by tourists, Jamias said.

Task Force Taft Avenue was created primarily to stem the rampant incidents of snatchings, holdups and "tutok-kalawit" in the area especially at night. The task force complements some 20 uniformed and plainclothes policemen who patrol the vicinity on a 24-hour basis.

Jamias also tapped barangay tanods and security guards of several buildings to assist the police in providing security to commuters and motorists. There are also plainclothes policemen who ride jeepneys, buses and FX taxis to arrest possible robbers and holduppers.

"Even with a very limited human and material resources at hand, the police will do their best to keep our city streets safe not only for tourists but also for our local residents," Jamias said.

He likewise attributed the significant drop in crime rate in in his area of jurisdiction to the weekly consultation meetings among barangay officials upon the directive of Manila Mayor Lito Atienza and WPD director Chief Superintendent Pedro Bulaong. "This is our small contribution to the government’s campaign to attract more tourists, which is included in President Arroyo’s 10-point agenda," Jamias said.

At the same time, Jamias motivates his men through rewards and commendations for every performance worth emulating.

"I maintain leadership by example. I see to it that I’m visible to my men and the people 24 hours a day, seven days a week," he said.

Just recently, Jamias himself received a special commendation from the Supreme Court for his expert handling of demonstrations and rallies in front of the Supreme Court building staged by political groups.