Local government units (LGUs) should require business establishments to install closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras to help deter crimes, according to Bohol Police Provincial Office (BPPO) chief Col. Lorenzo Batuan.

Col. Batuan made the appeal to require all business operators to install CCTV cameras as one of the pre-requisites in granting or renewing their business permits during the Provincial Peace and Order Council (PPOC) meeting which was led by Gov. Aris Aumentado at the Capitol on Thursday.

The Bohol PNP chief conceded that not all acts of criminality can be monitored largely due to the limited police force and not all enforcement units can be deployed for crime monitoring as there are other functions that also need equal attention.

According to Col. Batuan, CCTVs mounted in strategic places improves security, helps ensure public safety and in solving crimes as well as the identification and arrest of criminals.

CCTV likewise serve as a deterrent against criminality, the police chief added.

Col. Batuan bared that he already directed chiefs of police of the 48 LGUs in the province to relay his request to incorporate in the requirements for the issuance of business permits the installation of CCTV systems in business establishments.

The Bohol police chief’s appeal to LGUs echoes the call of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) for legislative bodies of LGUs to enact “no CCTV, no business permit” ordinances to help deter crimes.

A DILG memorandum indicated that establishments such as financial firms, banks, pawnshops, shopping malls, supermarkets, we markets and medical facilities such as hospitals, clinics and laboratories should be required to install CCTV systems as a pre-condition for the issuance of a business permit.

The DILG memorandum added that other areas that draw a lot of people should likewise be required to have CCTV cameras. (KB, AD)