Start with petty crime

Published by the Visayan Daily Star Publications, Inc.

NINFA R. LEONARDIA Editor-in-Chief & President

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

CARLOS ANTONIO L. LEONARDIA Administrative Officer

Stories of petty crimes being perpetrated in the city, this time along the restaurants, cafes and establishments at Lacson Street, continue to spread and worry the citizens of Bacolod. Bags have been disappearing in restaurants and cafes, cars are being broken into, snatching incidents and holdups have become common occurrences. What is worrying is that these crimes are not being perpetrated in dark alleys and side streets anymore, but along the main road of the city, one that has a busy stretch of popular restaurants and cafes, the same area that the city government has recently been trying to package as a new tourist attraction.

This problem falls under the responsibility of the police, who should be on top of the situation, and not allow the perception that criminality in this city is increasing and becoming uncontrollable, to fester and grow.  Increased police visibility, a quicker response, and less apathy towards the plight of the victims can still reverse the trend and restore order. When it comes to crime, the police cannot bank on the effects of the global financial crisis to bail them out of their responsibility to protect the people from all kinds of criminals at all times. In fact, they should work harder to maintain peace and order during these difficult times so that those who are struggling will know that turning to a life of crime is not a viable option in this city.

As it is, times are already difficult and nobody is expecting it to get better anytime soon. Police officials should not make it even more difficult for us all by allowing their men to ignore petty crimes just because the amount that was stolen was minimal, or because nobody was maimed or killed. If we have a police force that cannot stop simple things like petty crime, then what is it good for?*