The Index Crime Rate throughout Caloocan City has dropped by over a third or by 32.8% in the first nine months of 2020, the city’s Peace and Order Council announced recently in an online meeting.
Caloocan Police Chief Col. Dario Menor reported to Mayor Oscar “Oca” Malapitan that only 426 index crimes were recorded and included in the eight focus crimes from January to September this year, compared to 634 recorded crimes in the same months last year.
Of the 426 crimes, 283 were cleared or identified and 211 were solved or identified and suspects were arrested, Menor said.
Index crimes, as defined by the Philippine National Police (PNP), involve crimes against persons such as murder, homicide, physical injury and rape, and crimes against property such as robbery, theft, carnapping/carjacking and cattle rustling.
In connection with the enforced community quarantine since March, more than 30,000 residents have been caught violating city ordinances such as curfews, not wearing face masks, and not observing social distancing.
Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, the Caloocan Police assured Malapitan that operations such as the fight against illegal drugs, the arrest of wanted persons, the campaign on illegal firearms, and others will continue.
According to the mayor, order and peace must remain in the city especially during this time.
“I thank every member of the Caloocan City Peace and Order Council, our police and other allies for maintaining the peace and order in Caloocan that we need especially in these times,” said Malapitan.