Makati police, rescue vehicles get GPS

The Makati City government has equipped 35 of its vehicles with Global Positioning System (GPS) units as part of the effort to improve the capabilities of its police force and rescue units.

Mayor Jejomar Binay said the installation of GPS will enable the Makati Command Center to trace the location of the vehicles on a 24/7 basis.

"In case of emergencies, we can determine the mobile unit closest to an emergency situation," the mayor said, adding that all government vehicles in Makati City will soon be equipped with GPS.

Makati has a total of 87 patrol cars and trucks, of which 49 belong to the Makati police, four belong to the Makati Rescue, 23 to the Department of Public Safety (DPS) and 11 trucks to the Makati Fire Brigade.

The 35 vehicles initially installed with GPS include 25 from the Makati police, six from the DPS, two from the Makati Rescue and two from the Makati Fire Brigade.

"By next year, all response vehicles will be equipped with GPS so we can be more effective in fighting crime, responding to emergencies, and delivering public service," Binay said.

The mayor said MPD’s foot patrol policemen and members of MAPSA will also be equipped with GPS-enabled handheld radios.

Tracking of the vehicles and the foot patrols will be made at the Makati Command Center at the 24th floor of Makati City Hall.

Binay said the Command Center has started conducting trial runs and is expected to be fully operational by early next year.

Meanwhile, surveillance cameras along the city’s main thoroughfares are now being installed as part of the Command Center network.

"A total of 34 closed circuit TVs will be installed. At present, two cameras have been installed at the corner of Makati Avenue and Gil Puyat, and Ayala Avenue and Gil Puyat," Binay said.

Once fully operational, the Command Center will be able to respond to emergency calls from anywhere in Makati and dispatch response teams, including police, fire, emergency, health and rescue.

The system is expected to significantly improve Makati’s security and emergency response capabilities to better ensure peace and order in the city.

Makati City boasts of being the first local government unit (LGU) in the Philippines to open an emergency command center patterned after those in the US. – Michael Punongbayan