Napolcom holds Central Visayas anti-crime consultation

The National Police Commission in Central Visayas (Napolcom-7) tapped private sector, academe and government agencies participation in crafting a five-year crime prevention program.

Napolcom-7 director Homer Cabral said it was the first time that they conducted consultation in the regional level.

He said that in the past, only their head office prepares the agency’s five-year plan.

On Tuesday, Napolcom-7 convened about 50 participants coming from different sectoral groups and government agencies to a consultation held at the Ecotech Center in Sudlon, Lahug in Cebu City.

Discussion was focused on the need for a systematic analysis of crimes, their causes, risk factors and consequences, identification of the most appropriate intervention and improvement and promotion of a system of coordination and collaboration between the police and the community.

Participants identified the proliferation of illegal drugs as the region’s top concern and the need to the increase to increase the current police force as a means to address the menace.

They also mentioned of the need to construct a “Bahay Pag-asa” for children in conflict with the law in each of Cebu’s highly urbanized cities.

Cabral said his office will collate inputs from Tuesday’s consultation for presentation during their national strategic planning scheduled in Quezon City in August.

From the August gathering, Cabral said Napolcom will already be able to craft their five-year strategic crime prevention plan which they will present to President Rodrigo Duterte in September for approval.

Ones approved, plan implementation could already start next year, he added.