The idea of PNP director general Avelino Razon about police visibility is to personally conduct checkpoints, with media in tow for the photo ops, and show the public that the country’s top cop means business when it comes to law enforcement.
Unfortunately, this approach to law enforcement will not frighten law breakers and criminals. It’s like Razon’s photograph arresting criminals posted in every lamp post to deter criminality. The crooks will only laugh and sneer at him. Police visibility means uniformed policemen actually walking the beat or cruising commercial and neighborhoods in patrol cars. It is not a public relations job.
On Thursday, a huge traffic jam reportedly developed near Roxas Blvd. in Manila when Razon, accompanied by Metro Manila police director Geary Barias, started stopping vehicles found in violation of the prohibition on the use of commerative plates.
This section of Manila is one of the busiest thoroughfares, and Razon certainly exercised poor judgment in choosing that area to carry out his public relations stunt. I can just imagine the curses and insults against him by thousands of motorists stuck in traffic for a long period of time. Instead of helping bring about a smooth flow of traffic, Razon’s antics caused a big obstruction.
That this approach is ineffective in crime deterrence is also proved by the torching of several buses inside its terminal compound in Quezon City, which is not too far from Camp Crame, the national headquarters of the Philippine National Police.
That act of arson was a direct slap on the face of Razon and the police.
The culprits sent a strong signal to the police that they can do what they want with impunity, unafraid of police authorities.
Of course, there’s also the Cabuyao RCBC branch massacre, where armed robbers not only took the money, but also executed 10 people inside the bank with a bullet into the head. It was gruesome, and its happening does not inspire confidence in a public that doubts the ability of the police to protect their safety and security.
Razon should crack the whip and exercise true leadership. He should assign specific responsibilities. He should set goals and objectives. He should hold commanders in the field accountable for their performance.
If Razon wants to be in the headlines, then it should be to parade a long line of accomplishments in crime busting, and not just going after petty offenses such as using commerative registration plates.
