Cops to take photos of motorcycle riders

People intending to travel by motorcycle on Makati’s roads should be ready to say "cheese" in front of a digital camera.

Police in the country’s financial capital are now implementing a new scheme that would involve taking photographs of men and women on motorcycles.

Though some may frown at having their photo taken for police records, some actually smile at the idea of a street photo shoot.

Senior Superintendent Gilbert Cruz, Makati City’s newly-installed chief of police, said his pet project hopes to prevent street crimes in the locality.

Oplan "Photo Sita" works by making people think twice before committing crimes, knowing that their pictures have been taken.

Cruz said Mayor Jejomar Binay has provided them with 11 digital cameras, which are now being used by various police units patrolling the city.

"We came up with this scheme to prevent crimes committed by motorcycle-riding men in Makati City," he told The Star. "We are doing this because most criminals can afford to buy second-hand motorcycles, which they usually abandon after a heist.

Cruz said Oplan Photo Sita is a deterrence to those who plan to rob establishments in Makati City.

"This makes us a step ahead of criminals," he said.

Chief Inspector Alex Fulgar, operations chief of the Makati City Police Department, said Oplan Photo Sita appears to be working since no crime perpetrated by motorcycle-riding suspects have been recorded since Cruz took over and implemented the scheme.

"We also take pictures of the license plates if we deem it necessary and are able to get the names when we check driver’s licenses," he said.

He noted that Oplan Photo Sita is a modification of Oplan Sita, which is being implemented by the Philippine National Police. The PNP scheme targets loose firearms.

Apart from the new scheme, Makati policemen are also strictly implementing local laws for motor vehicle owners to keep their license plates clean and clear.

"Dirty license plate" is now one of the violations listed in the city’s Ordnance Violation Receipt (OVR), which imposes a P300 fine.