CHAPTER 1

THE PROBLEM AND ITS SCOPE

INTRODUCTION

Rationale

A mix of social policy and crime prevention programs is proposed to keep

crime rates low. Although between general social programs and specific programs to fight

crime is unclear, this type of social intervention is commonly associated with a reduction

in crime (Welsh and Farrington 2012; Rolim 2006).

The difficulty of evaluating these policies partly stems from the fact that social

policies are devised and implemented at different levels of public administration

(municipal, state, and federal). In Brazil for instance, such policies are under the control

of state government. Municipal districts however, have a broader reach in the execution

of programs targeting more specific groups such as the young, high-risk families, youths

on probation schemes or street dwellers just to name a few, that can be more directly

linked to the issue of violence prevention (Banco Mundial; /Soares 2006). Nevertheless,

the power of the municipal police is restricted to Municipal Guards, which represents a

limiting factor for the structuring of “Weed and Seed” projects that involve elements of
qualified enforcement and crime prevention through social development (Banco Mundial

2003).

In the Philippines, The Philippine National Police is committed to ensuring public

safety and reducing the fear and the incidence of crime in the community. But there are

many things each and every community member can do to reduce his or her chances of

becoming a victim or prevent the incidence of crime from happening. Below are crime

prevention tips for your home, your business, yourself and your family. We urge you to

familiarize yourself with the information contained in this section and to make crime

prevention, awareness and education a part of your everyday life.

Moreover, crime levels are among the secondary factors that foreign investors

look into when considering which countries to invest in. Crime and violence are

development issues. The high rates of both in the country have direct effects on human

welfare as well as impact on economic growth and social development. Based on reports,

the Philippine National Police (PNP) is doing its best to bring down levels of street

crimes such as robbery, hold-ups and theft, particularly in Metro Manila and other highly

urbanized areas. In the Philippines as in other developing countries, urbanization comes

with many problems, and these are results of the relentless exodus of people from rural

areas to the cities and urban centers.

According to various research that trace the pattern set in other countries, rapid

urbanization, industrialization and migration to the cities are major factors that contribute

to higher crime rates in Philippine urban centers. In the Philippines as in other developing

countries, urbanization comes with many problems, and these are results of the relentless

exodus of people from rural areas to the cities and urban centers.
 It has been widely documented that the deterioration of living conditions in urban

areas has led to many social problems such as juvenile delinquency, drug dependence and

prostitution. Other negative effects of urbanization include environmental degradation,

pollution, problems with garbage and sewerage disposal, traffic jams and congestion.

These are conditions that are conducive to crime.

In the Philippines, various crimes are directly related to urbanization, and they pose

serious concern for the government and the rest of society. These are mostly street

crimes, illegal drug trafficking, robbery and theft, as well as violent crimes against

women and children.

Regarding street crimes, they refer to almost all criminal acts punishable by law that are

committed on the streets. These cover crimes such as people being gunned down because

of traffic altercations, and this constitutes murder; the sale and distribution of illegal

drugs on the streets; vagrancy; rape in vacant lots or dark alleys; kidnapping while

walking or traveling by car; theft of parked cars; assault/threat; swindling; vagrancy;

and prostitution.

Crimes Rates Increase as Reporting Improves

In a June 2014 report written by Nestor Corrales in the Philippine Daily Inquirer, officials

of the Philippine National Police were quoted as saying that the PNP is doing its best to

bring down levels of street crimes such as robbery, hold-ups and theft, particularly in

Metro Manila and other highly urbanized areas.

Chief Superintendent Reuben Theodore Sindac said that the PNP’S efforts were being

done through increased police visibility and patrols, as well as neighborhood and

community-based activities in cooperation with barangay (village) organizations.

The PNP has admitted that there has been an increase in crimes committed in the

country, but this could be explained by the fact that “crime reporting has become more

efficient. The PNP has also increased its reliance on “factual and actual” police blotters.

In 2013, a total of 1,033,833 crimes were reported. In the first five months of 2014, some

289,198 crimes were reported from January to May. In the same period last year, 245,347

crimes were tallied. Typical criminal acts include pick pocketing, confidence schemes,

acquaintance scams, and credit card fraud. Carjacking, kidnappings, robberies, and

violent assaults occur sporadically.

The PNP hastened to explain that crime solution efficiency has increased to 36.50 percent

from January to May this year. This was a positive development when compared against

the 26.77 percent from the same time in 2013. Crime solution efficiency involves the

identification, arrest, and conviction of suspects tagged in offenses.

In a study, the PNP Directorate for Investigative and Detective Management stated that

previously, incidents of crime were not properly reported or recorded by authorities

because police chiefs were under pressure to keep crime volume low and crime solution

high. There was also pressure on officials to maintain the good image of their respective

areas of jurisdiction.

The PNP admitted that police stations differ in counting crime incidents, and that traffic

offenses were previously not included in crime statistics. In the meantime, cases

involving women and minors were “under-counted.” Also crime reports do not include

cases directly filed before the courts; and reports of other law enforcement agencies are

not considered. Police support units also do not submit crime statistics.
A senator, Sonny Angara, has already made the suggestion that the PNP should hire more

policemen. Statistics state that the country needs around 200,000 more police officers in

order to meet the ideal police-to-population ratio of 1:500. The average ratio at present is

1:645. In some areas in Metro Manila, however, the police-to-population ratio stands at

1:1,000.

It has been reported that a murder is committed every hour, a robbery every 10 minutes,

a rape every 72 minutes, and a theft every three and half minutes. Angara’s proposal is to

hire at least 25,000 police officer in 2015 and the same number in 2016 to bring these

figures down.

The relationship of the police to the community in Barangay Canduman Manduae

City should be compatible, the communities depend on the police to “protect and serve,”

and the police in return depend upon community’s support and cooperation to be

effective. When there is good police-community relations, police have a better

understanding of the publics concerns specially those that are crime associated, and

residents are more willing to report crimes that occur to the community, provide

tips/intelligence to law enforcement, willingly oblige as witnesses, and are happy to

engage in jury trials. By extension, police also become eager, thereby preventing crimes

before they arise or minimize their impact, instead of directly reacting to calls for service.

Crime Prevention Programs designed to prohibit the possibility of criminals to commit

crimes.

The concern of this study is to heighten the crime prevention program in

Canduman Police Station to promote safety to the community of Barangay Canduman

Manduae City. This problem motives us to pursue this article which is our problem
nowadays, and researchers are looking possible solution which could help solve the

crimes in Canduman. The purpose of this study is to promote public safety measures

between police and community to exchange information for the benefit of all.