QUEZON City Mayor Herbert Bautista on Wednesday ordered the creation of a tourist police unit at the Tomas Morato district to promote police visibility and ensure the safety of visitors in the area.
At least 10 operatives from the Quezon City Police District’s Station 10 shall constitute the tourist police unit, Bautista said.
The station commander, Supt. Christian dela Cruz, said police personnel assigned to the unit will also be provided with bikes for patrol and visibility purposes.
Dela Cruz assured the public that the number of police personnel in the area may increase in the coming days, especially during the holiday season, as theft, physical injuries and crimes against properties are likely to increase then.
Creating a tourist police unit at Tomas Morato is part of Bautista’s effort to transform the South Triangle area into a major city tourism district.
Bautista said the area’s redevelopment plan will be unveiled on Friday for the provision of the sidewalk improvement, opening of bike lanes and installation of an organized parking zone.
For sidewalk improvement, the 2.3-kilometer stretch of pedestrian walk along Tomas Morato running from E. Rodriguez Avenue to Eugenio Lopez Drive will be paved with stamped concrete to provide a more walkable environment for pedestrians.
Bautista ordered the installation of park lights and additional streetlights to light up and accent to the area. He underscored the importance of providing adequate streetlights in the area to deter crimes in the dark.