THE Philippine National Police (PNP) installed 34 closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras in key areas in Caloocan City for the second phase of the PNP's Project Safe KAm.
At the project's launch on Wednesday, Local Government Secretary Manuel Roxas II said the cameras will be working round-the-clock and are capable of zooming in to help in the identification of suspect/s.
It also has slow and fast motion and can record footage for up to three months, he added.
"Kung ikaw ay isang kriminal sa Caloocan sa Maynila mararamdaman mo ang buong pwersa ng pamahalaan, 'yung bilang ng mata, 'yung init ng pwersang naghahabol sa iyo" Roxas said.
In the initial phase, 32 CCTVs were installed along the EDSA-Taft intersection in Pasay City where almost a million people pass by daily.
Project Safe KAm was initiated by the PNP to maximize the effectiveness of the Oplan Lambat-Sibat, which is the anti-crime initiative in response to the various crime incidents in different areas in the National Capital Region.
Since its implementation in June 2014, the Oplan Lambat Sibat, according to the PNP, has lowered the crime incidents in Metro Manila.
The police captured a suspected bike thief Lorenzo Macario, 46, after one of the 32 CCTVs installed along Pasay Rotonda captured him. Police said the bicycle belongs to Bartolome Padual, a security guard.
"Magiging kasangkapan ang mga ito (CCTVs) para mas mabilis na mahuli at mapanagot sa batas kung sinoman ang gumawa ng krimen," said Roxas.
Other target areas of the Project Safe KAm include the University Belt and De La Salle University in Manila, Metro Rail Transit stations in North Edsa and Cubao in Quezon City and the Baclaran Church in Parañaque City. (with Roanne Therese Almoniña, UST intern/Sunnex)