By JEN BAYLON

The crime rate in Bacolod City has increased by 5.95 percent in 2024, raising concerns among local authorities and residents alike.

Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO) director, Colonel Joeresty Coronica, said they recorded a total of 1,245 reported crimes in 2024, higher than 1,175 cases in 2023.

Coronica attributed this rise primarily to a surge in traffic and vehicular accidents by 23 percent.

The number of collisions between vehicles and motorcycles in the city increased last year, he said.

Despite the overall increase in crime incidents, he noted that index crimes remained relatively stable, with the BCPO recording 170 incidents.

Coronica believes that one of the ways to reduce incidents is increasing police visibility.

The BCPO has requested 13 brand-new motorcycles from the city government, which could help enhance police visibility.

Coronica added that they will continue to focus on their campaign against illegal drugs because crimes can be reduced if the campaign is given priority.

He also urged the public to continue to cooperate with the police for the proper implementation of the law.

Coronica expressed BCPO’s strong desire for Bacolod to be peaceful and orderly in 2025, emphasizing the importance of continuing the campaign against illegal drugs and addressing rising crime rates effectively.

‘Armed presence’

The Bacolod City Police Station 10 has been on heightened alert following the alleged presence of armed groups on the economic highway at the boundary of Bacolod, and Negros Occidental’s Murcia town and Bago City.

The groups, who are not residents of Bacolod, were sighted conducting surveillance work last month, station commander Captain Sherwin Galupar said.

He also denies reports that the police station might be attacked by armed groups.

The presence is already a threat to city police, Galupar said.

The police station has already reported the alleged threat to Coronica./JB, WDJ