Tuesday, December 05, 2006 Cops back proposal to hike fines vs. barkers, car watchers
THE plan of a local legislator to increase the fines against barkers and car watchers has the support of Cebu City police officials.
Senior Insps. George Ylanan of the Vice Control Section (VCS) and Alexis Relado of Theft and Robbery Section (TRS) said Councilor Raul Alcoseba’s move to implement higher penalties against barkers and car watchers is the most ideal measure to stop the people who are “extorting” jeepney drivers in the city.
Relado and Ylanan said increasing the penalty from P200 to P5,000 or a six-month imprisonment, through a city ordinance, would keep the men who are now engaged in the illegal activity from continuing with their practice.
Ylanan said that at present, the police have been conducting several arrests against barkers.
Frustrated
They, however, only get frustrated because the arrested barkers can easily afford the penalty when they are brought to the prosecutors’ office and can walk away free men before the end of the day.
The following day, Ylanan said, the barkers are back in the streets.
Alcoseba’s proposed ordinance is expected to be deliberated on by the city council early next year. (JST)
