CONTRIBUTING FACTORS RELATIVE TO THEFT CASES COMMITTED IN BARANGAY BAHAY TORO, QUEZON CITY

Abstract

Theft is not a minor crime. It might be easy to think that theft, especially from major corporations, is victimless. Despite the consequences, people still choose to steal for a variety of reasons. There are many different reasons a person might feel compelled to steal. Psychology Today explains how people may steal regardless of whether they can afford the product, whether they need the product, or whether they already own it. For some, stealing may be linked to a psychological disorder. It may serve as a coping mechanism or provide an adrenaline rush. Those who experience a thrill at each stage of the theft may eventually turn into repeat offenders. This chapter describes the methodology used in the study, including the research design, respondents, research instrument, data collection procedures, and statistical treatment of the data. The study involved 50 respondents divided into three groups: 10 Barangay Officials, 20 Peace Volunteers (Tanods and BPATs), and 20 Barangay Residents of Barangay Bahay Toro, Quezon City. The largest age group consisted of individuals aged 42–50, representing 32% (16 respondents), which placed them at the top of the ranking. The majority of respondents were male, comprising 39 individuals. Table 3 presented the civil status distribution of the respondents, showing that the majority (30) were married. The largest educational groups were high school graduates and college graduates, each comprising 23 individuals. Table 5 highlighted the contributing factors relative to theft cases committed in Barangay Bahay Toro, Quezon City, as assessed through situational mechanisms. The highest-ranking factor had a weighted mean of 3.65. The problems encountered in Barangay Bahay Toro, Quezon City, regarding factors relative to theft cases, showed that the highest frequency was “Economic hardships faced by some residents may drive individuals to commit theft as a means of survival or quick financial gain,” with a frequency of 30 (11.63%), ranked 1st. The solutions proposed to prevent theft in Barangay Bahay Toro, Quezon City, included the following indicators: “Increase the number of community patrols during high-risk hours,” “Implement motion-sensor lighting in strategic locations to deter criminal activity,” and “Provide regular training for barangay security officers on theft prevention techniques.”