By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

Police Regional Office-6 (PRO-6) director, Police Chief Superintendent Cesar Hawthorne Binag, recently said he is considering the possibility of permanently assigning 400 PRO-6 police officers to the Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO).

The regional police, who are currently augmenting the city force amid the ongoing MassKara Festival, are being considered for a permanent transfer considering the recent spike in criminal incidents in the city.

The move is intended to provide more police visibility in the city.

When pressed if the “fear of crime” in Bacolod City is overblown, he said it is a possibility.

“You can pour hundreds of police officers onto the streets and people would still express their fears,” Binag stated.

He added, it is important for the police to provide assurances to the public.

The PRO-6 director used the United Kingdom as an example, where local police chiefs reassure residents every week of the safety situation within their jurisdiction./DGB, WDJ