THE PROPENSITY OF CRIMINALITY IN THE DISADVANTAGED COMMUNITY OF GUMACA, QUEZON: BASIS FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT INTERVENTION PROGRAM

The main objective of the study was to identify the propensity of criminality in the disadvantaged community of Gumaca, Quezon as the basis for the law enforcement intervention program. It sought to determine the demographic profile of the respondents in terms of age, sex, income bracket, and occupation. Moreover, it identified the common crimes that happen in the disadvantaged communities of Gumaca; determined the significant difference in the crimes that happen in the disadvantaged communities of Gumaca as experienced by the respondents when grouped into demographic profiles; and identified the safety measures of the community to address crimes. Results show the majority of the respondents belong to the age bracket 46 and above, are male, have a family income of 10000-14999, and have no permanent job at all. Moreover, this also means that majority of the respondents are poor and belong to low earner families since they have no permanent job in the community. The common criminal acts in the community as observed by the people were oral defamation, drug pushing, selling of alcohol to minors, and shoplifting. In terms of safety measures, there is regular robbing of barangay marshals in the community as part of the prevention of criminal acts. In relation to the problems encountered in the implementation of the safety measures, the study showed that barangay marshals have limited knowledge of the implementation of the ordinances. It is recommended that the local chief executives in the disadvantaged communities may help the people by providing training and seminars on livelihood programs suited for the locality. The local government units, through the request of the barangay LGU, may conduct an intensified and clear plan to minimize crimes in the disadvantaged communities. A regular robbing of community marshals may be implemented in the disadvantaged community to ensure the safety of the people. And the local chief executives may conduct training among the community marshals and other local officials relative to the familiarization and implementation of ordinances relative to peacemaking and minimizing crimes in the communities.