My Hometown's Crime Rate

Baguio City has been one of the most anticipated cities to receive millions of tourists annually, holding the title of the "Summer Capital of the Philippines" it is always on the bucket list of every person wanting to see the beauty of the north. However, as the locale receive an increasing amount of tourists, criminals in the area also adapt to the situation and take advantage of it.

The leading crime rate information, as per statistics in Baguio City, specifically in BCPO, is primarily theft; next is physical injuries and rape, according to the BCPO Investigation Unit last year, 2022. Index crimes in the city are theft, comprised 28% higher than in 2021. Physical injuries with a 5% increase and rape cases contained a 3 % decrease due to the Covid pandemic over the last two years[1]. The rise in crime rates needs a call for a crime solution plan which was proposed by Baguio City Police Office, which then will be implemented and assessed to measure the efficiency and to bring safety to the society.

The City Government of Baguio, together with the Baguio City Police Office, is trying its best to control these crimes; however, the increasing number of tourists will become a significant problem. During our Cadet Attachment Program held in the city. We observed that there were complaints of theft and shoplifting almost every day. Victims usually were students and tourists despite the numerous deployment of police officers in the city. Following the implementation of multiple programs, projects, and interventions by the city police force to maintain the peace and order situation over the years has made. Baguio City is one of the most peaceful cities in the country and the Southwest Asian region.

The City Mayor credited the implementation of various peacekeeping interventions along with the public's cooperation on the strict performance of laws, rules, and regulations governing the maintenance of law and order in the different parts of the city for the significant decline in the city's crime volume. Due to its cool climate, Baguio remains one of the country's most popular tourist destinations during this time of year. The city police force is preparing for this as well. Police Officials urged concerned sectors of the city to continue their vigilance in assisting the city police force in ensuring law and order in the town because the peace and order of the city depend on it.

Over the past few weeks, there had been a significant increase in visitors to the city from various lowland regions and other parts of the Cordillera, which had kept the local tourism industry thriving but had also allowed them to work even harder to keep the peace and order so as not to harm the city's reputation as a top tourist destination in the nation, but rather to ensure the safety of both residents and visitors.

I observed that the best practice of the station is the implementation of OPLAN TAMBULI, where the deployment of the police officer is the priority. Deployment would be scattered along the central business district of the city and utilize all the available megaphones that will be used to remind everyone to safeguard their valuables. This kind of practice can be used anywhere in the Philippines, especially those who are in a highly urbanized areas.

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[1]Crime Rate in Baguio. Crime in Baguio. Safety in Baguio. (2022, December). Retrieved February 11, 2023, from https://www.numbeo.com/crime/in/Baguio