An investment in security

Published by the Visayan Daily Star Publications, Inc.

NINFA R. LEONARDIA Editor-in-Chief & President

CARLA P. GOMEZ Editor GUILLERMO TEJIDA III Desk Editor PATRICK PANGILINAN Busines Editor NIDA A. BUENAFE Sports Editor RENE GENOVE Bureau Chief, Dumaguete MAJA P. DELY Advertising Coordinator

CARLOS ANTONIO L. LEONARDIA Administrative Officer

That was a very sensible suggestion from the Philippine National Police that was reported in the major media outlets in Metro Manila yesterday.

Director General Nicanor Bartolome of the PNP is proposing that the installation of closed circuit television cameras, or CCTVs in government and private entities be made mandatory nationwide. This means that all government offices and business establishments will be required to install the device in their offices and buildings as a measure, both to help in the identification of the culprits when crimes are committed, as well as to deter wrongdoers from pursuing their bad intentions for fear that their movements will be recorded for investigators to scrutinize later.

The use of the CCTVs has, indeed, proven very useful in the solution of crimes recently. Even traffic accidents, as well as traffic violations, where those involved had attempted to flee, have been recorded. Furthermore, it was also pointed out, the installation of CCTVs will not mean big expense for the owners of business establishments or even homeowners. Even in provinces and cities outside Metro Manila, there are suppliers of the device and, surveys have shown that they are not very expensive. In fact the investment in it will be well compensated in case something untoward occurs, because the chances of catching the perpetrators will be enhanced.

Bartolome is reportedly proposing the measure to the National Peace and Order Council. Let us hope that its membership will see the soundness of the idea and agree to adopt it, if not on a nationwide scale at the outset, at least in the cities, especially highly urbanized ones, initially.

This will be an investment in security that they will probably not regret.*