DILG launches Project SAFE Kam

Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Manuel ‘Mar’ Roxas II yesterday led the launching of the Project SAFE Kam, a crime-prevention measure that makes use of closed circuit television (CCTV) cameras.

Roxas hopes that this would further boost the anti-crime initiative of the Philippine National Police (PNP)’s Oplan Lambat-Sibat.

The first 32 CCTV cameras were installed along the busy intersection of Pasay Rotonda, located at the corner of EDSA and Taft Avenue in Pasay City.

“About one million people from all walks of life pass by the EDSA-Taft area every day, and one way to make this area safe for them is to install CCTV cameras in strategic locations that will capture all the happenings from all the corners of the area,” Roxas said.

The CCTV cameras were installed in such a way that authorities have eyes in key walkways and footbridges located at the Rotonda.

Roxas added that six more key locations will be equipped with Project Safe Kam cameras before the end of the year, including the University Belt in Manila, Monumento in Caloocan City, SM North EDSA - MRT station west side area, Aurora Boulevard, Baclaran-Redemptorist and La Salle-Taft areas.

During the presentation, Roxas also announced the designation of Safe Taxi Zones, where commuters can safely ride the taxi because they are monitored by CCTV cameras.

CCTV cameras can make it easier for investigators to identify the plate number of the taxi, the face of the driver, as well as the passenger, said Roxas.

“Should a crime occur after a passenger gets in a taxi, the CCTV cameras will help authorities identify its plate and body number, what the driver looks like,” Roxas explained. (with a report from Argyll Cyrus B. Geducos)