by Jezreel B. Vicente, PhD | Gowie Carlos P. Belino, PhD | Dipni P. Pagnas, MSCrim | Dyesebel L. Chinayo, MAEd | Victor O. Delos Santos, PhD
ABSTRACT
The effects of crime can be extremely damaging, both mentally and financially. From loss of income to loss of life, these risks are posed if one fails to secure his business or building is much greater than he can afford to take. This descriptive study aims to determine the crime prevention programs in Baguio City, the strategies of its implementation, the success rate of the crime prevention programs, and the problems encountered in the implementation of the crime prevention programs as of 2012. The identified top ten barangays with the highest crime rates and the 10 barangays with zero crime rates in Baguio City during the second quarter of 2012 by the Baguio City Police Office were considered in the study. The barangays with the highest crime rates were identified as crime prone barangays; they are located in the central business district where there are bars and night spots. Purposive and random samplings were used to determine the 59 informants, 44 civilians and 15 police officers. Out of 44 civilians, 22 are barangay officials and 22 are barangay constituents. Records were also analyzed to supplement data gathered and validate responses of informants. Results show that there were five crime prevention programs observed and implemented. There were five strategies used in the implementation of these programs which were claimed as effective in preventing crimes. Among these strategies, foot patrolling is considered the most effective in preventing crimes by all the barangays. In the implementation of the crime prevention programs in the top 10 crime prone barangays, no unique or other practices are implemented, specifically to address their description as crime prone areas. It was as well noted that these barangays implement visibility and neighborhood watch less frequently. Further, a barangay with zero crime rate implements “oplan sultipak” and is claimed to be effective in crime prevention. There are still problems encountered even if strategies are fully implemented to prevent crimes. These problems are mostly related to resources particularly on funding for barangay tanods and the lack of cooperation among the barangay constituents.
Key words: Crime prevention, crime prone and top ten zero crime rate
Source: UB Research Journal, Vol. XXXVIII, No. 1, January – June 2014
