DAVAO CITY (MindaNews / 8 May) – Crime incidence in this city increased by 20 percent at the start of the rotational brownouts, data from the Davao City Police Office (DCPO) revealed.
Speaking at the AFP-PNP Media Forum at the Royal Mandaya Hotel last Wednesday, DCPO chief Vicente Danao told reporters that the figures were in stark contrast to the 35-percent reduction in crime figures from the fourth quarter of 2013 to the first quarter of 2014.
He said most of the incidents committed since the brownouts started were crimes against persons and against property.
“Stay home. If you really don’t have somewhere to go during the brownouts, don’t leave your homes because that’s when the criminals are taking advantage of the cover of darkness,” Danao said.
He added that the darkness due to brownouts also interfered with police operations. “We can’t see in the dark,” Danao said, citing that police officers would find it difficult to see beyond 10 meters during brownouts.
He also doubts whether the CCTV cameras installed in strategic areas in the city have the capability to see in the dark.
