Christmas is coming: Police prepare for traditional festive crimewave

festive crimewave
Police chief Ronald delay Rosa takes the role of Santa Claus. Picture via Twitter

A preparations for Christmas get underway in the Philippines, police are taking action to fend off the traditional festive crimewave.

Speaking at Camp Crame, police chief Ronald dela Rosa said that now the “-ber” months had begun, people would start to notice a boosted police presence.

ADVERTISEMENT

“That’s what we’re guarding right now,” he said. “We’ll maximise police visibility in the shopping malls and the public areas of convergence.

“When it’s the “ber” months, economic activity gets stronger. Money gets spent; everybody wants to enjoy, everybody wants to feel the spirit of Christmas and criminals take advantage of this.”

Dela Rosa said the demand for illegal drugs also increased during the festive crimewave season because of all the parties.

ADVERTISEMENT

“The sale of shabu increases because it’s party time; during Christmas, the demand of shabu rises.”

Police will also monitor the trend of crimes leading to the Christmas season. “They’re monitoring whose areas have a rising crime rate and whose are going down as well. We can summon the commander immediately and tell them to make up or improve their performance.”

Advice on festive crimewave

To coincide with the boost to police patrols, the National Police Commission (Napolcom) has taken its crime prevention campaign to shopping malls.

ADVERTISEMENT

Napolcom public information officer Cristina Tan said the information drive was part of National Crime Prevention Week (NCPW) with the theme “A watchful community will lead to peace”.

“What is important is to be always alert,” she said. She added that this was particularly important when shopping for Christmas gifts.

Apart from going on a mall tour for the crime prevention information drive, the Napolcom will also distribute whistles to school children.

Ms Tan said: “The whistle is small but it is very important to call attention if you need help or are in danger of falling victim to crime.”