AWARENESS ON CRIME PREVENTION THROUGH ENVIRONMENTAL DESIGN AMONG THE RESIDENTS OF BARANGAY 38 AND BACOLOD CITY POLICE OFFICERS

Authors: Gerick R. Artieda, Jovelle E. Adoptante, Charles R. Billones, Emeliano G. Caigoy, Chari C. Deniega, Joseph Louise Eleazar, John Gabriel Fuentes, Godwin Janeo, Jherome Rosal, Joerel Sianosa Adviser: Dr. Liza Joy B. Barican

Abstract

Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) is a multidisciplinary approach to reducing crime and enhancing safety in urban environments that emphasizes the role of physical design, environmental factors, and social dynamics in preventing criminal activities. The occurrence of crimes nationwide and its impact on society's peace and order situation is a perennial problem that needs to be addressed appropriately. It is necessary to gauge the awareness level of the community as this will help develop fresh concepts and programs that will focus on the key areas of CPTED.

A descriptive comparative research design was utilized, using convenience sampling for residents and stratified random sampling for Police Officers. A total of 100 residents from Barangay 38, Bacolod City (Philippines), and 54 Police Officers from Bacolod City Police Office, Police Station 1 (Philippines) voluntarily participated in the survey. Awareness levels were gauged using the mean score, while significant differences were gauged using Mann-Whitney U-test.

The residents’ awareness level was found to have the lowest mean score in the areas of Natural Access Control, Territorial Reinforcement, and Maintenance and Management, while for the Police Officers, the lowest mean score was in Maintenance and Management. The awareness level of the Police Officers differed when they were grouped according to the variables of age, sex, and length of service.

This suggests that the residents and Police Officers should be more aware of the concept of CPTED. An enhancement program focusing on information dissemination campaigns regarding crime prevention would be conducted for the residents, and refresher courses and training involving proactive crime prevention for the Police Officers.