THE IMPACT OF MOTORCYCLE MODIFICATION ON CARNAPPING INCIDENTS INVESTIGATION IN CAMARIN CALOOCAN CITY

Abstract

Motorcycle modification in relation to carnapping incidents poses one of the greatest challenges for police officers in solving such cases. Many carnapping cases remain unsolved—or progress slowly—due to the difficulty of identifying modified motorcycles. In Caloocan City, police officers frequently encounter incidents involving carnapping and unidentified motorcycles. This study aimed to assess motorcycle modification trends and their impact on carnapping investigations conducted by police officers in Caloocan City. The researchers employed a descriptive research method to examine the population, situation, or phenomenon under study. This approach allowed for the analysis of factual data and facilitated an in-depth understanding of the research problem. A survey method was used to collect data from a large sample efficiently and cost-effectively. The study utilized purposive sampling, with specific criteria set for selecting respondents. In purposive sampling, researchers choose participants based on their knowledge of the study and the target population; in this case, respondents were selected according to the study’s objectives. The researchers personally approached police officers and residents of Caloocan City, distributed the questionnaires, and waited for them to be completed. Once finished, the surveys were collected directly by the researchers. Most of the respondents were male, aged 26–33 years old, and had been residents of the area for 7–10 years. All variables—Efficiency of Investigation, Detection and Recovery, and the Role of Modification in Crime—were rated as having a “High Impact.” The top-ranked problem encountered was the “lack of CCTV cameras in certain areas to monitor carnapping incidents,” cited by forty-two (42) respondents, equivalent to eighty-four percent (84%). Carnapping and motorcycle modification remain significant challenges in Caloocan City. Proposed preventive measures to reduce these incidents include enforcing stricter regulations, increasing police presence, conducting public awareness campaigns, installing CCTV cameras in key areas, and fostering collaboration with motorcycle dealers and owners.