The volume of eight focus crimes in Negros Occidental decreased by an average of 26 percent, following the implementation of strict quarantine measures against coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).
Records of the Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office showed that from March 17 to April 14, only 26 index crimes have been recorded, lower by nine, compared to 35 between February 17 and March 16.
The eight focus crimes include murder, homicide, physical injury, rape, robbery, theft, car, and motorcycle theft. These are also known as index crimes or crimes against persons and property.
Col. Romeo Baleros, police provincial director, said on Wednesday the figures show a significant decrease in the total crime volume in the past 29 days.
Theft incidents dropped by 80 percent, from the previous five to only one.
There is an increase, however, in incidents of homicide and physical injury, but these mostly happened in domestic settings, Baleros said.
He appealed to Negrenses to cooperate with the police in the strict enforcement of the enhanced community quarantine until April 30.
From March 17 to April 14, a total of 1,221 curfew violators were arrested in Negros Occidental, of which 16 are facing charges.
The remaining 1,205 have been counseled and advised to go home.
As part of the quarantine measures, the NOCPPO has set up 14 border control points in cities of San Carlos, Talisay, Bago and Kabankalan, and towns of Murcia, La Castellana, Isabela and Hinoba-an.
A total of 87 quarantine control points have also been established across the province. (Nanette Guadalquiver ndb)