Crime Victimization In The Province Of Ilocos Norte

This research was undertaken to determine crime victimization before and during the COVID-19 pandemic in the province of Ilocos Norte. Specifically, the researcher sought to find out the crime profile in the province of Ilocos Norte in the year 2018, 2019, and 2020,2021in terms of the general nature of the offense, month, municipality, and status of the crime, the crime solution efficiency of Ilocos Norte Police Provincial Office (INPPO) and the challenges encountered by the Philippine National Police (PNP) before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. The descriptive survey method was used in this study. The data was extracted from the Crime Information Reporting and Analysis System (CIRAS) or the Enhanced e-Blotter System of the Ilocos Norte Police Provincial Office for the year 2018-2019 and 2020-2021 and an informal interview with a few police officers was conducted. This study is delimited only to present, analyze, interpret, and recommend factors affecting victimization and crime prevention measures accounting similarities and differences before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Frequency count and rank were used to treat the gathered data statistically. Findings of the study revealed that: (1) As to the crime profile in the province of Ilocos Norte, there are more crimes committed Before than During COVID-19, particularly traffic incidents, Frustrated/Attempted Homicide, Theft, Reckless Imprudence Resulting to damage to property and Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act 2002. In comparison During COVID-19, these are the crimes committed Special Laws, Resisting Authorities, Physical Injury, and Reckless Imprudence Resulting to Physical Injury, particularly in Ilocos Norte. As to month, Before March and May had the highest crime committed while During COVID-19, May had the highest crime committed. Moreover, Laoag City has the highest crime committed Before and During COVID-19 and there are more solved cases Before than During COVID-19 (2) The COVID-19 epidemic has reduced the Ilocos Norte Police Provincial Offices (INPPO) ability to solve crimes as compared to before the pandemic and (3)There are several challenges encountered by PNP even before and during the occurrence of the COVID-19 pandemic. Based on the foregoing findings and conclusions, the researcher hereby recommends the following: (1)The Ilocos Norte Provincial Office (INPPO) may regularly carry out patrol operations in Ilocos Nortes urban areas (2) In select accident-prone areas of Ilocos Norte, the Ilocos Norte Provincial Office (INPPO) may install additional traffic signals, road signs, and multiple lights (3) The Ilocos Norte Provincial Office (INPPO) may severely enforce the curfew, reducing the hour from 10 to 9 pm as was done during the pandemic, as well as checkpoints at certain times, as was performed during that time (4) As part of Police Community Relations, the INPPO may continue to have cordial ties with the general population, which will significantly aid in crime prevention (5) To resolve the concerns mentioned, the community, PNP, DPWH, barangay, and city engineer may adopt the proposed Action Plan.