BACOLOD CITY – The Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office said that the crime rate in the province dropped 13.11 percent in 2024.
NOCCPO sign (Glazyl Masculino)
Police recorded 3,885 incidents from Jan. 1 to Dec. 31, 2024, 586 fewer than the 4,471 in 2023.
The number of eight focus crimes went down, from 735 in 2023 to 468 in 2024 – murder with 145, followed by rape, 126; theft, 62; homicide, 45; robbery, 42; physical injury, 40; carnapping of motorcycles, seven, and carnapping of motor vehicles, one.
Police said this notable reduction in crime incidents is a positive indicator of the effectiveness of their crime prevention strategies such as increased patrols, community engagement initiatives, and proactive law enforcement tactics and reflects the growing trust and cooperation between the community and law enforcement.
Enhanced awareness campaigns, improved coordination among law enforcement agencies, the implementation of security measures during key periods such as holidays and festivals, and collaboration with local government units (LGUs), community organizations, and other stakeholders also played a role in the overall crime reduction, police added.
Police Col. Rainero de Chavez, Negros Occidental police director, commended lawmen for their achievements and urged them to continue the momentum towards the betterment of the province.
Christmas and New Year in the province were generally peaceful with no major incidents and stray bullet incidents reported.
Meanwhile, the Negros Island Region has recorded 135 fireworks-related injuries in Negros Island Region as of Jan. 6
The Department of Health-NIR said that 94 cases were reported in Negros Occidental, 19 in Negros Oriental, 20 in Bacolod City, and two in Siquijor. Eighty-seven of these cases involved 87 minors.
Ninety-one sustained burns or blast injuries without amputation, 36 sustained eye injuries, two blast and eye injuries without amputation, five cases sustained blast injuries with amputation, and one blast and eye injuries with amputation.
Negros Occidental has the highest number of cases with 59, followed by 15 in Negros Oriental, 22 in Bacolod City, and two in Siquijor.
The Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office destroyed a total of P88,895 worth of illegal firecrackers, pyrotechnic devices, and improvised cannon or "boga" at the provincial police headquarters here on Jan. 3.