Safer Cities cuts Negros shooting incidents by 23.26%

By Glazyl M. Jopson

BACOLOD CITY — The Police Regional Office-Negros Island Region (PRO-NIR) recorded a 23.26% decrease in shooting incidents under the Safer Cities Program, which police attributed to stronger visibility, proactive interventions, and closer police-community cooperation.

During the program’s 43-day implementation from April 6 to May 18 across Negros Occidental, including Bacolod City, Negros Oriental, and Siquijor, PRO-NIR recorded 33 shooting incidents, down from 43 during the preceding 43-day period from Feb. 22 to April 5.

The decline represented 10 fewer shooting incidents during the program period.

Police Brig. Gen. Romano Cardiño, PRO-NIR director, said the reduction was more than a positive statistic because it represented communities that experienced fewer violent incidents, families spared from fear, and lives that may have been protected.

Cardiño stressed that police would not become complacent and would continue strengthening police visibility, acting on reliable information, responding swiftly to threats, and working with stakeholders to prevent violence and protect lives.

He also recognized the efforts of police personnel and the cooperation of communities and partner organizations, saying the gains under the Safer Cities Program encouraged PRO-NIR to further strengthen preventive, responsive, and people-centered policing.

The Safer Cities initiative seeks to bring police services closer to communities while strengthening the ability of police units to identify and address potential security threats before they escalate.

As part of the initiative, PRO-NIR encouraged the public to cooperate with police by calling SAFE NIR DIAL 911 when immediate police assistance is needed or when information could help prevent crime and violence.

“Every call, every report, and every shared concern can make a difference,” Cardiño said.