By Glazyl Y. Masculino
BACOLOD City – Crimes in Negros Occidental increased by 562 or 15.74 percent from 3,570 incidents in 2021 to 4,132 cases from Jan 1 to Dec. 15, 2022.
The data indicated that 2,905 cases were on peace and order incidents, which increased by 319 cases or 12.34 percent.
On the other hand, 1,227 incidents were reported under public safety, which included traffic accidents, up by 243 cases or 24.70 percent, based on the data from the Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office (Nocppo).
Police Lieutenant Judesses Catalogo, Nocppo’s public information officer, said the main factor that contributed to the increase in crime volume was the lifting of restrictions relative to the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).
“Nagbalik na sa normal ang ways and means sang mga tawo this year,” Catalogo said, adding that misunderstanding triggered by drunkenness topped the list which resulted in criminalities.
Based on Nocppo’s data, eight focus crimes or crimes against persons or property increased by 92 or 15.26 percent, from 603 cases in 2021 to 695 incidents the following year.
Murder cases increased by 1 incident from 144 last year to 145 this year. It was followed by theft with 172 cases, an increase of 72 percent; robbery with 91 incidents, an increase of 45 or 97.38 percent; homicide with 40 cases, an increase of 7 cases or 21.21 percent; carnapping with 24 cases or an increase of 7 cases or 41.18 percent; and motornapping with 1 case, or an increase of 100 percent.
For physical injury, Nocppo recorded 65 cases or a decrease of 5 or 7.14 percent, and rape with 157 cases or a decrease of 36 or 18.65 percent.
The average monthly crime rate also increased by 1.69 cases or 15.74 percent, from 10.754 to 12.447.
Despite the increase in crime volume, Catalogo said they have identified and filed cases against the perpetrators as part of the crime clearance efficiency and crime solution efficiency.
Catalogo said the increase in crime volume was also due to spikes in traffic accidents this year.
Based on the record, cases for reckless imprudence resulting in homicide increased by 17 or 11.72 percent from 145 cases in 2021 to 162 cases in 2022.
For reckless imprudence resulting in physical injury, the provincial police office recorded 559 cases, or an increase of 90 or 19.19 percent from 469 incidents last year.
For damage to property, 506 cases were reported with an increase of 136 or 36.76 percent compared to last year’s 370 incidents.
Catalogo said that Bago City and Valladolid town have the highest number of recorded accidents this year.
Considering the slight increase in crimes, Catalogo assured that the situation in the province is still manageable.
“We’re doing something to address these cases,” he said.
