ABSTRACT
This study examined crime rates and barangay profiles in selected urban communities of Legazpi City, Albay, to assess implications for public safety and community-based interventions. Specifically, it investigated the status of Crimes Against Persons, Crimes Against Property, and Vehicular Crimes, described the socio-demographic characteristics of the barangays, and analyzed the relationship between barangay profile and crime incidence. Employing a descriptive–comparative research design, the study utilized Philippine National Police and barangay records from 2020 to 2025, supplemented by surveys and key informant interviews. Data were analyzed using frequency counts, Chi-square tests, and Kendall’s Coefficient of Concordance. Findings revealed that urban and densely populated barangays exhibited higher crime rates, particularly in rape, theft, and vehicular property damage. Socio-economic status, population size, and urban classification significantly influenced crime patterns, with moderate agreement observed among respondents regarding crime-prone barangays. The study highlights the need for coordinated and context-specific crime prevention strategies, including enhanced barangay–police collaboration, community policing, infrastructure improvements, and socio-economic support. These findings provide practical guidance for local government units and law enforcement agencies in promoting public safety through evidence-based interventions.
Keywords: Crime rates, barangay profile, Legazpi City, crime prevention, public safety
INTRODUCTION
Crime remains a pressing social issue that threatens public safety, undermines institutional trust, and disrupts community well-being. Violent and property-related offenses, in particular, cause loss of life, economic disruption, and heightened insecurity in urban communities and schools. Research underscores the importance of data-driven and geospatial crime analysis to identify high-risk areas and guide targeted prevention strategies (Paje, 2025). Effective crime reduction also relies on multi-sectoral collaboration, ethical law enforcement, and active community engagement (Dela Cruz & Santos, 2023).
International studies link crime to poverty, unemployment, and social inequality, with urban centers facing challenges in reporting and controlling violent incidents (FBI, 2023; BJS, 2023). In the Philippines, new forms of crime, including cybercrime, have intensified due to high social media use and limited cybersecurity, as illustrated by the Comelec data breach and online sexual exploitation cases (Caballero, 2019; DICT, 2021; International Justice Mission, 2020).
In Legazpi City, Albay, violent incidents involving students and teachers highlight the need for localized crime analysis. As a growing urban center, the city’s socio-economic and environmental factors influence crime patterns. This study aims to provide a comparative assessment of crime rates and barangay profiles, using statistical and geospatial methods to inform evidence-based policies, improve resource allocation, and strengthen community-based crime prevention efforts.
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