La Trinidad starts neighbors crime watch program

By Susan C. Aro

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet,-- The neighborhood crime watch program of the local government  to curb criminality is picking up with the introduction of the concept among communities, schools and transport sector whose cooperation and involvement are  crucial in strengthening peace and order in the valley.

Ordinance Number 12-2018 or the  “La Trinidad Neighborhood Watch Program”  authored by Councilor Roderick Awingan,  aims to enhance and strengthen the cooperation, coordination and partnership between communities, the municipality, the barangays and the Municipal Police Station towards crime prevention.

Components of the Neighborhood Watch Program are the Bantay Paaralan or Eskwela, Bantay Kalsada and Bantay Barangay Patrol Action Teams (BPATS).  

Municipal Police Chief Insp. Benson Macli-ing said this involves everybody’s participation and cooperation such as the community, schools, drivers, and tanods to serve as its arms to achieve reduction of crimes or zero crime incidence.

Teachers, students and the Parents-Teacher-Community Associations were briefed last week about the Bantay Eskwela. Schools are encouraged to organize peace and safety councils.  Macli-ing presented the safety school tips which they should be wary of.  

The Bantay Kalsada involves drivers plying the thoroughfares within the municipality who have access on crimes committed along the road, according to Macli-ing.  

 The role of BPATS composed of the barangay tanods is to report any crime they spot in their respective sitio.

 Residential owners and home owners are encouraged to be vigilant of any suspicious activity in their neighborhood although they are expected to secure their own place.

The Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM) Office will serve as the Command Center where the 16 barangays equipped with communication facilities will receive reports for dispatch to their personnel who will act on peace and security complaints, issues and concerns, he added.