Ilocos Norte crime rate down by 60%

Citing a strong partnership with the Provincial Government of Ilocos Norte (PGIN) and their relentless drive against crime, Ilocos Norte Police Provincial Director S/Supt. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. reported that crime rate in Ilocos Norte has dropped significantly as of December 2016.

With 1,500 reported index crimes in 2015, the figure dropped to 600 at the end of 2016, indicating a decrease by 60%.

“The decrease in crime rate is a good indicator that we have effective measure in the prevention of the occurrence of crimes,” Nartatez said.

On crime solution efficiency, he noted that INPPO’s investigation efforts increased from 65% to 80% in 2016.

Alongside the increase of focus police operations and crime efficiency, INPPO continues to strengthen the competence of their officers’ through the Capability Enhancement Program (CEP).

Through the CEP, police officers undergo series of physical examinations and firearm skill tests to ensure that they are fit for any operation.

INPPO is also intensifying recruitment of more young cops  to ensure that there will be no drop in police number.

Nartatez was also happy to report that during the Yuletide Season, no tourists were harmed or involved in any focus crime, and no gun shooting incidents happened.

He said INPPO’s goal this 2017 is “to intensify the prevention of the occurrences of street crimes, further enhance our investigative solution, arrests illegal drugs and loose firearms and strengthen the capability enhancement program.”

Governor Imee R. Marcos expressed full support to INPPO’s plan to fight criminality in the province in line with her vision for development which includes heightened public safety under the campaign for a “livable” province (makaay-ayo a pagnaedan).—(Ma. Rhona Ysabel B. Daoang, PGIN-CMO)