Rama wants to reformat coverage areas

Mayor Rama discusses his plan to reformat the jurisdiction of the city’s policemen. (Photo from Facebook account of Cebu City PIO)

Policemen in Cebu City should respond to alarms even if the incidents happen outside their areas of jurisdiction.

This was emphasized by Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama in a strategic planning hosted by City Hall’s Police Coordinating and Advisory Council (PCAC) with Cebu City Police Station commanders at the Montebello Villa Hotel yesterday.

“The most important thing is that they should not ignore the small crimes. They should not be more on turfs, but on collaborating, complementing and coordinating,” he told reporters.

Rama said he wanted to reformat the jurisdiction of the city’s policemen by not only focusing in urban areas but also the mountain barangays and the coastal areas.

PCAC Chief Eugene Elizalde said yesterday’s workshop was in preparation for the production of a Peace and Order and Public Safety Plan for 2016.

Aside from expanding jurisdiction, Elizalde explained that they want the city’s police to be always aware where their patrol cars and service vehicles are so they can make the necessary adjustments when responding to crime.

“Right now, what happens is that if there are calls, some policemen would say they don’t have service vehicles or fuel,” he said.

Part of the city’s plans is to provide additional vehicles for the city’s police force. Elizalde said they’re currently working on the purchase of 28 brand-new vehicles to be distributed to the different stations although this has yet to be finalized.

He said all station commanders of the CCPO were present yesterday together with other members of PCAC like the Cebu City Transportation Office; Cebu City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office; and the Department of Social Welfare and Services.