CEBU CITY – Police in Central Visayas have been reminded to focus on preventing and solving crimes. Police Brig. Gen. Anthony Aberin, chief of the Police Regional Office-Central Visayas (PRO-7), said they should see to it that his anti-crime program, a strategy that will tap bystanders or “tambays,” will be implemented. The PRO-7 chief said that the program dubbed as Active Bystandership for Effective Response and Intervention or Aberin will tap bystanders as anti-crime volunteers. Aberin said that bystanders are always on the streets and they are more familiar with the people in their areas. He said that police are not passing the responsibility of preventing crimes to civilians but asking their help as law enforcers could not be in all corners of every barangay. “They will be the ones reporting to us as to what they see or observe in their surroundings,” Aberin said. With the help of bystanders, including tricycle and “habal-habal” (motorcycle-for-hire) drivers, crimes can be easily prevented or solved, Aberin added. “A responsible community can contribute greatly for a peaceful locality,” said Aberin. He urged city and provincial police directors to organize them to enable them to help in their anti-crime campaign. “Let’s organize them so they can help maintain peace and order in the community. Because as I have said, the police alone cannot secure all corners, streets so we need responsible members of the community to help us,” Aberin said. Aberin reminded police officers to ensure that the program will not be abused. He said those who will be tapped as anti-crime volunteers must be screened thoroughly to make sure that they do not have derogatory records.