The Davao City Police Office (DCPO) has warned the public to be “extra careful” as unscrupulous people from other areas are expected to come and take opportunity of this holiday season brings.
DCPO Director Col. Kirby Kraft advised the residents to be always on alert to prevent cases of thievery, snatching and pick-pocketing.
“So you (residents) need to be alert and cautious so that you will not become victims,” Kraft told reporters in an interview during the Pamaskong Handog Alay sa Kabataan 2019 at the DCPO parade grounds yesterday.
City Hall, through the Public Safety Security Command Center, has deployed around 40,000 security personnel in the city, particularly in areas where events of the on-going Pasko Fiesta are held.
Kraft said there has been a “zero major incident” so far since the Pasko Fiesta opened last Nov. 22.
He said they have to put barricades in the vicinity of City Hall because the areas where the major displays and fanfair – Rizal Park and Quezon Park – are actually open spaces.
The fences will be removed after the Pasko Fiesta.
In yesterday’s launching of the annual DCPO-initiated Pamaskong Handog Alay sa Kabataan 2019 at its headquarters in Camp Leonor Domingo, Kraft led the distribution of gifts to around 150 underprivileged children from various barangays in the city.
Kraft said they prioritize the children from the marginalized group and indigenous sector.
He said they gave various toys, including teddy bears, and food packs.
The children were also entertained by various mascots, including DCPO’s own Sergeant Kalasag (formerly PO1 Asero), Jollibee and Spiderman, aside from police-dancers from the Talomo Police Station.
After the kick-off ceremony, mobile patrols decorated with Christmas trimmings coming from the city’s 12 police stations also conducted a motorcade around the poblacion district.
“We commend the efforts of the Davao City Police Office for taking initiative to unite various sectors for our community,” VM Sebastian Duterte said in his message read by Kraft.
The vice mayor also urged the city police to continue showing compassion and generosity even after the holiday season.
The Pamaskong Handog Alay sa Kabataan started in 2017 as initiated by then director Col. Alexander Tagum.
