Community Policing Strategies

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nIntroduction

nCrime especially burglary is a major cause of concern among many residents. Research indicates that several factors increase the rate of burglary vulnerability. Some of these include planning and design characteristics, household features and the surrounding issues. Spatial and social aspect of the dwelling also affects cases of burglary. The article by Marzbali, Abdullah, Razak & Tilaki, (2012), explores how use of Crime Prevention through Environmental Design (CPTED) solve various challenges such risk of burglary. It also examines how various types of houses, experience of residents on victimization and socio-economic variables affect the CPTED (Marzbali, Abdullah, Razak & Tilaki, 2012). In addition, the research sought to determine the relationships between principles of CPTED and burglary victimization. Literatures have indicated that CPTED is an effective strategy in reducing cases of crime. The principles of CPTED are maintenance, territoriality, access control and natural surveillance.

nPurpose of study

nThe purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between cases of victimization and CPTED due to the impacts of socio-economic factors such as income level of the household and duration of residence (Marzbali, Abdullah, Razak & Tilaki, 2012). The study also investigates whether type of the house, victimization and socio-economic issues affect the levels of CPTED.

nResearch questions

nThe study involved two research questions. First, what are the relationships between types of houses and CPTED? Second, how do victimization and residential stability level (i.e. household income and duration of residence) affect CPTED principles?

nResearch Hypothesis

nThe first hypothesis of the study was to determine the association between CPTED principles and types of the house. The second hypothesis was to determine the association between CPTED principles, and cases of victimization and residential stability (Marzbali, Abdullah, Razak & Tilaki, 2012).

nMethodology

nThe study was conducted in urban environment in central area of Penang, Malaysia. The town had a population of more than 1.5 million people. The study included 1000 households involving, terraced, semi-detached ad detached houses. The research utilized systematic sampling method. In addition, random start procedure was used to choose residents at every third intervals (Marzbali, Abdullah, Razak & Tilaki, 2012). The study participants were 164 residents. Approximately, 49 per cent of the participants were female while 51 per cent were male.

nThe researchers used observation checklist in data collection. Data analysis of this study utilized a multiple indicator-multiple cause (MIMIC). The reason why this type of analysis was used is that it assisted the researchers to know CPTED principles efficiency in minimizing cases of burglary. It also helped to understand the relationship between CPTED and socio-economic variables on low rate of crime in Malaysia (Marzbali, Abdullah, Razak & Tilaki, 2012).

nStudy findings

nBased on the findings of the study, territorial features such as personalization reduce crime hence low burglary experiences. In terms of types of houses, detached houses have the higher rate of security as compared to terraced and semi-detached houses (Marzbali, Abdullah, Razak & Tilaki, 2012). The lower rates of crimes in detached houses are also determined by higher levels of maintenance, territoriality and surveillance.

nFurthermore, the study revealed that persons living in detached houses recorded lower rates of victimizations relative to other types of houses. More notably, the duration of residence had significant effect on crime. Therefore, people who lived in the study area for a longer time had lower burglary rate because of stricter and higher access control (Marzbali, Abdullah, Razak & Tilaki, 2012). In terms of income levels of households, person with high household incomes may have higher CPTED relative to persons from lower levels of income.

nFuture Study

nHowever, future research is required to determine whether duration of residence is associated to more cases of victimization. It should also attempt to reveal whether household income affected the rate of victimization (Marzbali, Abdullah, Razak & Tilaki, 2012).

nResearch Application

nThe findings of the study play a crucial role in designing measures to reduce crime. The information obtained from the CPTED principles is beneficial in planning for better ways to improve security (Clancey, Lee & Fisher, 2012). CPTED principles can be applied to minimize the costs of enforcement of law and improve the stability of the neighbourhood. Therefore, residence should implement these measures aiming to reduce crime.

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nReferences

nClancey, G., Lee, M., & Fisher, D. (2012). Crime prevention through environmental design (CPTED) and the New South Wales crime risk assessment guidelines: A critical review. Crime Prevention & Community Safety, 14(1), 1-15.

nMarzbali, M. H., Abdullah, A., Razak, N. A., & Tilaki, M. J. M. (2012). The relationship between socio-economic characteristics, victimization and CPTED principles: evidence from the MIMIC model. Crime, law and social change, 58(3), 351-371.