POVERTY AS A CONTRIBUTORY FACTOR IN COMMITTING CRIME IN BARANGAY 162, CALOOCAN CITY BASIS: FOR CREATING AN EFFECTIVE PROACTIVE CRIME PREVENTION MODEL

Abstract

Crime remains a persistent challenge in Barangay 162, Caloocan City, where poverty is considered a key factor fueling criminal activities. This study investigates how poverty relates to crime with the goal of developing a proactive crime prevention model. It emphasizes economic difficulties, joblessness, educational gaps, and social pressures as major contributors to criminal behavior. This study utilized a descriptive research design and purposive sampling to select 50 respondents, including 40 residents and 10 barangay officials. Data collection was carried out through surveys and structured interviews. Before conducting the study, the researchers formally requested permission from the Barangay 162 officials. Once approved, questionnaires were distributed to the respondents. The findings indicate that poverty plays a major role in contributing to crime in Barangay 162. Most respondents (42%) were between 18 and 25 years old. Females represented 58% of the participants, while males made up 42%. The highest educational attainment among respondents was college level at 40%, followed by 28% who graduated from high school. Economic hardship, particularly its restriction on educational opportunities, received the strongest agreement from respondents with a weighted mean of 3.38 (Strongly Agree). Unemployment’s negative effect on self-esteem and its link to criminal behavior also ranked highly, with a weighted mean of 3.36. Furthermore, environmental issues such as inadequate law enforcement and poor housing conditions were found to contribute to crime, with weighted means of 3.56 and 3.38, respectively. This chapter summarizes the key findings and conclusions of the study, which sought to identify the challenges Barangay 162, Caloocan City faces in preventing crime. The research highlights several contributing factors to criminal behavior, such as economic difficulties, unemployment, and lack of active community participation. Based on these findings, it is advised that barangay officials develop targeted, data-driven crime prevention strategies that address the poverty-crime nexus. Community outreach programs focusing on livelihood skills, educational assistance, and social development should be prioritized to help curb crimes linked to poverty. Moreover, enhancing collaboration with local law enforcement and strengthening peacekeeping efforts are essential steps moving forward.