INSIDER INFO: Residents urge action on rising crime in Makati’s Salcedo Village

Residents of Salcedo Village in Makati City have renewed their appeal to Mayor Abby Binay to address the rising criminality in their community, following a sharp increase in crimes such as snatching, hold-ups, and even kidnapping incidents reported over the past nine months of 2024.

In a formal letter sent to the mayor in late October, representatives of Salcedo Village residents highlighted the deteriorating security situation, supported by crime statistics from Barangay Bel-Air.

The data revealed that, while Barangay Bel-Air’s total monthly crimes increased by 8 percent from 2023 to 2024, Salcedo Village alone saw a 17 percent rise in incidents during the same period — more than double the average rate of surrounding environs. 

Alarmingly, the area accounts for 71 percent of all crimes in the barangay.

The residents pointed to multiple incidents involving motorcycle-riding criminals, including one where a man in an Angkas uniform held up a pedestrian, stealing cash and a phone. 

Restaurant-goers and pedestrians have also been frequent targets of violent and economic crimes.

In their plea, the residents outlined specific measures they believe could deter crime. These include:

• Restricting entry and exit points to a single road after 10:00 p.m.
• Increasing security patrols by police, barangay tanods, and the Makati Central Estate Association (MACEA).
• Enhancing coordination among security agencies and deploying more CCTVs and lighting across streets.
• Establishing police mini-stations and clarifying the roles of MACEA, the Makati parking Authority, the barangay, and police in addressing crime.

While two measures — aided by the barangay and Makati Police — reduced crime in 2022 and 2023, the residents stressed that these efforts have proven insufficient in 2024.

The letter requested Mayor Binay to convene a meeting involving stakeholders, including residents, police, MACEA, and barangay officials, to develop and implement a comprehensive security plan.

The residents offered to host the proposed meeting at the Regency at Salcedo Social Hall to expedite discussions and ensure immediate action.

Copies of the appeal to Mayor Binay were furnished to Bel-Air barangay captain Cynthia Cervantes, MACEA general manager Getty Granada, and Ayala Land Inc. president Ana Ma. Margarita Dy.