Monday, August 04, 2008 Fewer crimes so far in ‘08 By Mia E. Abellana Sun.Star Staff Reporter
THOUGH the province saw much violence last week, Cebu Provincial Police Office Director Carmelo Valmoria announced a seven percent drop in index crimes for the first half of the year.
Index crimes are those committed against persons and properties.
From 978 in January to June 2007, index crime volume dropped to 909 for the same period this year.
In particular, April to June showed a decreasing trend, with 168 cases in April, 159 cases in May, and 117 cases in June.
The non-index crimes, or violations of special laws, increased by seven percent, though.
There were just 429 in 2007, but the CPPO already recorded 461 this year.
Despite this, total crime volume in Cebu Province decreased by 2.63 percent, from 1,407 incidents in 2007 to just 1,370 this year.
Valmoria said reduction in index crimes was a result of continuous checkpoints and deployment of beat patrols. This was after he issued directives for policemen to stay in the streets instead of in the office.
He also cited a decline in physical injuries cases—from 353 to 280, saying they have made it a point to deploy personnel during fiesta celebrations to discourage drunken brawls.
Vehicular accidents are still the leading cause of physical injuries cases in the province.
And while murder, rape and robbery cases dropped, theft and homicide incidents have increased in Cebu.
There were 325 thefts this year compared to 270 last year, or a difference of 16.92 percent; and 51 homicide cases compared to just 32 in 2007, or an increase of 37.25 percent.
Murder cases this year dipped by 11.39 percent after CPPO recorded 88 this year compared to just 79 in 2007.
Robberies went down by 23.16 percent, with just 153 cases this year compared to 199 last year.
Rape cases, on the other hand, dropped to just 21 this year compared to 36 in 2007, for a decrease of 41.67 percent. (MEA)
