QC TO BOOST CRIME WATCH IN SCHOOLS

As the school opening nears, safety and security precautions should be implemented.

            Councilor Raquel Malangen of the 4^th district of Quezon City said in a proposed ordinance that crime awareness and security in campuses within the city should be promoted before the opening of classes this June.

            Malangen said crime occurrence in campuses has steadily risen in the past few years, majority of which are fraternity related violence, like frat wars, death and physical harm to members of warring frat groups and non-members.

            She said, parents and guardians should be informed about the crimes that occurred in a particular institution and about its security policies and procedures.

            Under the “Campus Security Ordinance of 2010,” each eligible campus shall begin to collect information with respect to campus crime statistics and campus security policies and each year, prepare, publish and distribute through appropriate publications to all current students and employees.

            She said that an annual security report must contain information regarding the campus security policies and campus crime statistics of that institution, dormitories inside the campus, description of program designed to inform student and employees about the prevention of crimes (murder, rape, physical injury, theft, robbery and sexual harassment)  and statistics concerning the occurrence on campus during the most recent school years.

           

            The security report should also include the statistics concerning the number of arrests for crimes, like drug abuse violations, liquor law violations and illegal possession of deadly weapons.

            The proposed ordinance also provides that a statement of policy regarding the possession, use and sale of alcoholic beverages and enforcement of underage drinking laws must also be included in the security report.

            Under the proposal, the Office of the Mayor shall review such statistics and task the Committee on Education of the City Council  to identify exemplary campus security policies, procedures and practices that have proven effective in the reduction of campus crimes.

            The proposed measure will prohibit institutions from denying to an alleged victim of any crime of violence the result of any disciplinary proceedings conducted by such institution against the alleged perpetrator of such crime.  -30- Divine/ Maureen Quinones, PAISO