The role of community participating in crime prevention and control: Evidence from bauchi metropolis, Bauchi State Nigeria

Abstract

The study examined the role of community participating in combating crime in Bauchi metropolitan, Bauchi state, Nigeria. The main objective of the  study is to highlight the role of community participation in crime prevention and control with specific objectives as examining the predisposing factors,  emergence, strategies, effectiveness and also challenges of community participation in crime prevention and control. The study employed the survey  research design method, a sample of three hundred and eighty four respondent (384) was drawn from the total population. Both quantitative data and  qualitative methods were used for data collection, questionnaires administered and in-depth interview were conducted with community leaders, religious  leaders and law enforcement officers. The research analysis targeted responses from adult males and females both educated and uneducated  residents in metropolis of Bauchi local government area, in respective of their religious belief, practice, and tribal affiliation. Based on the findings, the  study underlined the challenges to be solved through adequate equipment, and enlightenment of the public. A larger proportion of the respondents are  of the opinion that community participation in combating crime can be improved through; involvement of every head of household, provision of  equipment, enhancing police cooperation. Awareness revealed that, campaign expectation output/result will enhance collaborative effort between law  enforcement organization and community members in proactive responses to crime and social vices. In addition, liaison should be established between  the police and community participation in combating crime in such a way that the members of the community will serve as informants to the police.