Friday, August 22, 2008 Outgoing police chief to successor: Continue liquor ban
STRICT enforcement of the liquor ban, improved police visibility, and public relations -- these are the concerns the outgoing head of the La Trinidad police wants his predecessor to continue.
Superintendent Reynaldo Pawid emphasized this to his replacement as he stepped down as the La Trinidad Police Office chief. He said the enforcement of the liquor ban was one of his priorities because drunkenness is the major cause of criminality in the town.
Pawid is leaving the town as Chief Inspector Glenn Lonogan is detailed as the officer-in-charge (OIC).
Police link drunkenness to most crimes, particularly physical injuries committed in the municipality.
La Trinidad's liquor ordinance bans the sale of alcoholic beverages starting 8:00 p.m.
Police, together with officials of the Municipal Government, have been vigorously doing the rounds on establishments to ensure the observance of the liquor ban, efforts which raised gripes from some business firms.
"If in the course of my duty I have offended someone, I apologize. I never intended to harm, I just wanted to serve," Pawid said.
Police and municipal officials are eyeing amendments to the liquor ordinance, to include business owners in the imposition of penalties.
La Trinidad Mayor Artemio Galwan said business owners should also be held responsible for the problem of drunkenness in the municipality.
Police visibility and strengthening of community relations are also among the vital programs Pawid wants the municipal police to continue implementing.
Pawid was designated as the municipal police head of La Trinidad in August 14, 2006. His two-year stint lapsed on August 16. Pawid is designated as the Deputy Chief of Operations at the Benguet Provincial Police Office.
In a send-off program on Thursday, Pawid took time to report the municipal police's major accomplishments. Among these was the arrest of 20 top wanted persons from the regional down to the provincial and municipal levels.
Four criminal groups, known as the Dicky Thomas, Beckel, Tutok and Bolt Cutter gangs were neutralized in two years, and 22 loose firearms were confiscated. (JC)
