Thursday, June 19, 2008
Bicycle cops soon to return in city streets, says Citom
THE Cebu City Traffic Operations Management (Citom) is reviving the bicycle cops, who used to be a common sight in city streets.
In its meeting yesterday, the Citom board decided to tap new policemen and those who are about to finish their training to compose the team.
Policemen in shorts and safety gears used to ply and keep the peace and order in Cebu City streets as beat patrol personnel.
Recognizing their importance, the Citom board decided to reactivate them, said City Councilor Sylvan Jakosalem.
“Going back to the bicycle cops is (also) an effective way to address the rising cost of fuel. The Citom is bringing back that concept,” he said.
The councilor said the board is asking for well-meaning Cebuanos to donate mountain bikes and gears for the bicycle cops.
Donations urged
Citom Executive Officer Arnel Tancinco has informed the board that somebody has shown interest to donate the required equipment.
“If nobody donates, maybe in the next month or so, I will have to request the mayor for approval in purchasing the bikes,” Jakosalem said.
“Nindot sila tan-awon and can respond faster. Bikes require zero fuel, and keeps the policemen physically fit,” he added.
He said former bicycle cops are now assigned in Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) units like the Special Weapons and Tactics that new policemen are the ones eyed for the job.
Jakosalem said the board will also have traffic enforcers use bicycles in going to and fro their assigned areas.
Saving on fuel
Also, he said that another cost-saving measure the City has made the Citom and the CCPO adopt is the removal of air conditioning systems and electronic gadgets in their vehicles.
The City Government provides fuel to police and Citom vehicles, and aircons eat up a significant portion of a car’s fuel and doing away with them helps, the councilor said.
He said that the City’s earlier memorandum was only for the Citom and the CCPO not to use the aircons, but there were personnel who allegedly just ignored the
communication.
“There’s a memo not to use the aircon and electronic components, but the City had them removed because some employees still use them,” Jakosalem said. (RHM)
For Bisaya stories from Cebu. Click here. (June 19, 2008 issue)
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