La Trinidad eyes village watch program
A neighborhood watch may soon be in place.
In a bid to reinforce system coordination, integrate law enforcement and public safety agencies La Trinidad Councilor Roderick Awingan is proposing to institutionalize a the Neighborhood Watch Program (NWP) in the town.
The program is a synergy between the community and police in a crime prevention partnership where neighbors come together to address crime in the community.
Awingan said strengthening the relationship with the community and the police take place by encouraging the police to incorporate the rules of the community within the program.
The program is under the Community Service Oriented Policing (CSOP) in cooperation and coordination with the neighborhood in providing the La Trinidad Municipal Police Station (LTMPS) information for protection of all.
Guidelines for the implementation of the NWP under the CSOP include a registration of all groups, organizations, homeowners and individuals interested to join the program, the registration shall enable the municipality to provide basic security and protection training as well as logistical support to the NWP operations.
If the ordinance is approved a NWP steering board shall be created spearheaded by the Chief of Police of La Trinidad Municipal Police Station, Sangguaniang Bayan chairman on the committee on peace and order, association of barangay captain council representative and representatives of
the neighbourhood watch groups.
A public consultation is set on October 17 to hear sentiments and concerns of the public regarding the proposed ordinance. Lauren Alimondo