THE EFFICACY OF BARANGAY PEACEKEEPING ACTION TEAM (BPAT) IN COORDINATION WITH THE COMMUNITY IN CRIME PREVENTION AT BARANGAY 181 SAPANG ALAT CALOOCAN CITY

Abstract

Crime remains a persistent challenge in contemporary society, posing serious threats to public safety and community well-being (Orenze et al., 2021). In response, the government has intensified efforts to reduce, if not eradicate, criminal activities through grassroots-level initiatives. This study aims to assess the efficacy of the Barangay Peacekeeping Action Team (BPAT) in collaboration with the community in preventing crime in Barangay 181, Sapang Alat, Caloocan City. Specifically, it examines respondents' assessments in terms of program execution, resource utilization, and stakeholder engagement. This study employs a descriptive research method to provide detailed insights into the experiences and perceptions of individuals concerning crime prevention initiatives in their community. The respondents consist of forty (40) individuals, equally divided between twenty (20) residents and twenty (20) BPAT officers in Barangay 181. Data collection was conducted through structured surveys designed to evaluate the effectiveness of BPAT operations in coordination with the local community. The respondent group was composed of 50% male and 50% female, with most participants aged between 42 and 50 years. Seventy percent of the respondents had resided in Barangay 181 for more than ten years, offering perspectives grounded in long-term community involvement. In terms of program execution, the indicator “Conduct peacekeeping activities in the community” received the highest weighted mean of 3.28. Regarding resource utilization, “Availability of quality communication equipment for BPAT patrollers” garnered the highest weighted mean of 3.35. For stakeholder engagement, the indicator “Partnership with community organizations to enforce law on crime prevention” was rated highest with a mean of 3.15. The equal representation of BPAT officers and residents ensured balanced insights into crime prevention efforts in the community. The majority of participants, being middle-aged and long-time residents, provided well-informed responses based on years of observation and involvement. The findings suggest that BPATs are relatively effective in executing community-based crime prevention programs, especially through consistent peacekeeping activities, access to communication tools, and collaborative partnerships. These results underscore the importance of sustained support and resource enhancement to further strengthen local crime prevention strategies.