Redesigning Safety: A Study on Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) Awareness in Barangay 38 and Among Bacolod’s Law Enforcers
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.67669/facci0014Keywords:
Risk perception, safety, security, social cohesion, urban planning, crime prevention through environmental designAbstract
CPTED provides a proactive strategy for reducing crime by shaping the physical environment to deter criminal behavior. Despite its established international application, awareness, and implementation, in the Philippines, it remains limited. This study addresses this gap by assessing and comparing CPTED awareness among 100 residents of Barangay 38 and 53 police officers from the Bacolod City Police Office. Using a descriptive-comparative quantitative research design and validated instruments, awareness was measured across four CPTED principles: Natural Surveillance, Natural Access Control, Territorial Reinforcement, and Maintenance and Management. Data analysis used mean scores, frequency distributions, and the Mann-Whitney U test to examine differences across demographic variables. Findings revealed generally high awareness in both groups, with Natural Surveillance consistently scoring highest. However, both groups exhibited low awareness in Maintenance and Management — a crucial yet often neglected CPTED component. Notably, awareness levels among police officers varied significantly by age, sex, and length of service, whereas only age influenced differences in awareness among residents. These findings underscore the importance of targeted educational initiatives. The study recommends intensified community information drives and refresher courses for police personnel, with a focus on overlooked areas such as Maintenance and Management. The use of localized languages and digital platforms is encouraged to reach diverse audiences effectively. Furthermore, implementing CPTED demonstration projects in Barangay 38 could visually reinforce practical applications. These efforts aim to foster safer, well-managed communities in Bacolod City by bridging gaps in local awareness and advancing CPTED-informed crime-prevention strategies.
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