Eight Focus Crimes in Baguio City During the Post-Covid 19: A Situationer

The study evaluated the crime trends during the post-COVID-19 pandemic, specifically the eight focused crimes identified by the law enforcers in Baguio City. It aimed to assess the changes in the occurrence and frequency of the eight focus crimes and identify the key factors contributing to any shifts in the patterns of these focus crimes during the post-pandemic period. A total of 17 police investigators participated in the study and were selected through purposive sampling. The Eight Focus Crimes include; Murder, Homicide, Physical Injury, Rape, Theft, Robbery, Car theft, and Motorcycle Theft wherein Physical Injuries, Theft, and Robbery were the most reported incidents. The study used documentary analysis and semi-structured interviews to analyze the gathered data. Based on the findings, the key factors that contributed to the shifts in the patterns of these focus crimes during the post-pandemic period were movement and travel restrictions, economic restraints, and the impact of technological advancement.


Introduction
Analyzing crime trends during the pandemic and post-pandemic periods is essential to comprehending the dynamic shifts in criminal behavior caused by particular socioeconomic conditions.It will offer insights on the pandemic's effects on crime patterns, assess the effectiveness of community and law enforcement responses, and build future policies for crime prevention and public safety.The shift of activity from public to private places drastically disrupted not only the lives of people everywhere but also affects the opportunity structures of many crime types (Soto, 2021) including those of members of criminal gangs and criminal organizations.The lockdown is the "largest criminological experiment in history" (Stickle & Felson, 2020), and thus represents a golden opportunity to test whether the theories that have been developed to explain crime in the 'developed' world are also suitable to explain crime in other regions.Nivette et al. (2021), discovered that stay-at-home policies were related with a significant decline in urban crime, but with significant variance across cities and categories of crime.In the advent of Covid-19 Pandemic, most countries have legally required people to remain in their residences as the Government's precautionary measure to curb the spread of the virus, except for authorized personnel or activities.A study by Scott and Gross (2021) indicated that in Baltimore, Chicago, and Baton Rouge, property crimes declined more sharply during the stay-at-home-mandated periods than did interpersonal crimes.However, there were considerable temporal and geographic variations in the rate at which crimes decreased.For instance, property offenses, including stealing and robberies, considerably decreased whereas public order offenses and violent crimes dramatically increased (Agrawal et al., 2022).According to Buil-Gil and colleagues (2021), common crimes in Ireland, such as burglary, theft, and violent and sexual offenses, decreased during lockdowns but returned to pre-lockdown levels once the lockdown ended (Post-L).This study examines the contrasting trends observed during the pandemic and post-pandemic periods with a particular focus on the Eight Focus crimes in Baguio City.By carefully examining crimes such as murder, homicide, physical injury, rape, theft, robbery, car theft, and motorcycle theft, this study significantly contributes to an enhanced understanding of the intricate interplay between external circumstances and criminal behaviors, thereby shedding light on the diverse trajectories and repercussions of these offenses.The fluctuation in the eight focused crimes during the post-COVID-19 period motivated the researchers to delve into the study to assess the changes in the occurrence and frequency of the eight focus crimes in Baguio City during the post-COVID-19 pandemic, to identify the key factors contributing to any shifts in the patterns of these focus crimes during the post-pandemic period and to provide recommendations for policy-makers, law enforcement agencies, and community organizations to mitigate the occurrence of these focus crimes and enhance overall public safety.

Theory/Conceptual Framework
Crime can be viewed in terms of risk exposure.In the examination of the impact of COVID-19 on levels of crime, many criminologists have focused on choice-based theories, which include elements of routine activities, crime pattern theory, and opportunity perspectives (Lersh & Hart, 2023).Routine Activity Theory (Cohen and Felson, 1979) on the role of people's activities and how these create crime opportunities by influencing the likelihood that a motivated offender will encounter a suitable target absent a capable guardian (Johnson & Nikolovska, 2022).The location of the criminal event is important, as the offender has made the choice to attack a target in an area that is perceived to provide the greatest reward with the lowest level of apprehension risk (Lersh & Hart, 2023).In the absence of skilled crime guardians, crime is most likely to occur when likely offenders converge in geography and time with ideal crime targets.The underlying premise of this theory is that crime events are created as a consequence of crime opportunities, which occur when a potential offender encounters a suitable target in the absence of a capable guardian.In turn, the occurrence of criminal opportunities depends on routine activities that make up everyday activities.Thus, even if the social conditions (such poverty and unemployment) that are believed to motivate crime remained steadfast, societal trends affecting routine activities are likely to have a significant impact on criminality (Est´evez-Soto, 2021).Crime pattern theory further builds on Routine Activity Theory by incorporating an analysis of a city's geographic environment.The focus is on when and where crimes will occur; what the movements are that bring the offender and the target together at the location of the crime; what is involved in the thought processes that lead to the selection of the crime location; and how targets and offenders are distributed spatially in urban, suburban, and rural settings (Lersh & Hart, 2023).In accordance with opportunity theory and general strain theory, lockdown measures have the potential to trigger causal mechanisms for both a reduction and an increase in crime, most notably violent and property-related crimes, having certain types of crime tending to increase while others are more likely to decrease.With the criminals who perpetrated these crimes being constrained by COVID-19 precautions, opportunities to conduct the crimes were eliminated or significantly reduced.All crimes necessitate an opportunity.Thus, these crimes have decreased since offenders were not provided with the opportunity to commit such crimes during the pandemic period (Macit, 2021).In addition, People had to make considerable adjustments to their habits and social life during the course of this period.As a result, cyber criminals have an exceptional chance to operate from home and do the majority of their work using the computer (Macit, 2021).On the other hand, Robert Agnew's general strain theory contends that socioeconomic strains that affect a large stratum of the population, particularly the most vulnerable groups, have the potential to create an atmosphere of pressure that drives individuals to commit crime (UNODC, 2020).To gain a better understanding of the study, a schematic diagram was provided, the first two boxes represent the input that loads the crime trend on the eight focused crimes during post covid-19, and the Factors that contributed to any shifts in the patterns of these focus crimes during the post-Covid 19.The third or the middle loads the process such as the Documentary Analysis, Semi-structured Interview Guide/Google Forms, and Thematic Analysis, the fourth box loads the results such as the well-determined crime trend on the eight focused crimes during the post-covid 19 pandemic, and well-determined factors that contributed in the patterns of these focus crimes during the post-Covid 19 pandemics and lastly, the fifth box represents the output that loads the recommendations to mitigate the occurrence of these focus crimes and to enhance overall public safety.

Objectives
The general objectives of this study are to assess the changes in the occurrence and frequency of the eight focus crimes in Baguio City during the post-COVID-19 pandemic and to identify the key factors contributing to any shifts in the patterns of these focus crimes during the post-pandemic period.Specifically, this study has the following objectives: 1.To determine the crime trend on the 8 focused crimes during post covid-19?2. To determine the factors that contributed to any shifts in the patterns of these focus crimes during the post-Covid 19 period?3. To recommend solution to mitigate the occurrence of these focus crimes and to enhance overall public safety.
Factors that contributed to any shifts in the patterns of these focus crimes during the post-Covid 19

Methodology
This study used a qualitative case study approach to explore the phenomenon within its context because the researchers explore the trends in the eight focus crimes during the COVID-19 to post-COVID-19 pandemic.The study was conducted at the Baguio City Police Office Located at Upper Kayang, Baguio City since all the reports coming from the identified police station were submitted to BCPO.Seventeen (17) participants were purposely selected who were familiar with and aware of the records in terms of crime prevention within their area of jurisdiction.The study used a semi-structured interview guide to collect information from the participants.The study used documentary and thematic analysis to interpret the data.The study upholds and adhere to a high standard of ethics.The responders' privacy was scrupulously upheld, and their real names were covered up by using pseudonyms or code.

Crime trend on the 8 focused crimes during Post Covid-19
Table 1 presents the crime trend on the eight focus crimes for the calendar year 2020-2023 in Baguio City.

Theft
The table shows the number of Theft cases recorded from the year 2020 to 2023.Said crime has a total of 388 occurrences within four years period with 94 incidents committed in 2020, 80 in 2021, 127 in 2022, and 87 in 2023.It can be seen in the data that during the 1 st two years of the pandemic period there is a lesser number of incidents reported and recorded by the PNP Baguio compared to the time when our communities are recovering and gradually going back to normal in 2022 and that physical restrictions have been lifted by the government, theft cases has escalated to 127 incidents.Moreso, compared to the other eight focus crimes of the PNP and regardless to the decrease or increase in the number of occurrences for the crime of Theft, it can be seen that this crime has been constantly the highest in the ranking throughout the four years period from 2020 to 2023 in Baguio City.

Homicide
The table shows the number of Homicide cases recorded from the year 2020 to 2023.Having a total of 16 cases recorded in four years (6 in 2020, 4 in 2021, 5 in 2022, and 1 in 2023), it appears that the year 2020 has the highest number of cases which is 6, but on the other hand the year 2023 has the lowest number of case which is only 1. Relatively, it can also be seen in the table that the crime of homicide is 2nd to the last, in terms of its total number, among all the eight focus crimes of the Philippine National Police committed in Baguio City.This indicates that homicide has drastically decreased from the year 2020 pandemic period up to the 2023 post-pandemic period and is one of the crimes with the lowest number of occurrences during the pandemic and post-pandemic periods.Though the crime of homicide is not totally eliminated, its continuous reduction in the number of occurrences from 2020 until 2023 has greatly contributed to Baguio City being constantly ranked as one of the safest cities to live in every year.

Carnapping Motor Vehicle
The table shows that a total of 26 incidents were recorded trends on Carnapping Motor Vehicles from the calendar year 2020 to 2023.It indicates that even with the implementation of quarantine lockdown where people are not allowed to go out, except for personal necessities, the crime of carnapping motor vehicles remains unchanged.

Carnapping Motorcycle
As shown in Table 1 of crime trends.The data table significantly showed the trends of crime on Motorcycles Carnapping a total of 18 recorded incidents from 2020 to 2023.In the year 2020 the number of motorcycles carnapping recorded is 4 while in 2021 the number of motorcycles carnapping incidents recorded the same in the year 2020.In 2022 there was an unusual or sudden increase of motorcycle carnapping; a total of 7 incidents was recorded in that year.On the other hand, in the 1st semester of 2023 there is a sudden drop of motorcycle carnapping incidents compared to year 2022 the total number of motorcycles carnapping incidents recorded on the 1st semester of 2023 is only 3.

Contributing Factors that Changes in Crime Pattern During the Post-COVID-19 Period.
The narratives shared by our 17 diverse participants from the Philippine National Police have given rise to six (6) distinct themes.

Movement Restrictions
Movement restrictions became a significant factor that contributed to crime fluctuation during the post-COVID-19 pandemic due to the presence of police and effective intervention programs, such as the establishment of curfew hours, and checkpoints which deter potential offenders from pursuing their evil deeds.Lockdowns implemented by the authorities also contribute to crime reduction through movement restrictions.This can be seen on the following responses: KI

Economic Constraints
Economic constraints also contributed to the changes in crime patterns during the post-COVID-19 period, specifically, an increase in crimes against property such as theft and robbery.This was due to poverty issues; such as difficulties in looking for food, job loss, and economic downturns.When people are not fully employed, they are bound to engage in different types of crimes as a survival strategy (Metu et.,al.,2019).This can be seen in the following responses: KI 2: "Difficulty in looking for food"., KI 10: "Poverty due to job loss and economic downturn"., and KI 13: "The factors that contributed to the changes in crime patterns for each 8 focus crimes were job loss, limited job opportunities, all the commodities/social needs went uncontrolled high prices".

Technological Advancement
The occurrence of the eight focus crimes during the time following COVID-19 has been significantly influenced by technological developments both positive and negative implications for crime prevention and detection.Since the majority of people became more reliant on technology during the outbreak, there have been significant concerns with regard to vulnerable victims of cybercrime.This is reflected on the following response: KI1:Watching erotic movies impacted the rise of rape cases, KI13: With the use of technological advancement especially using internet, rape were the crimes committed.Cybercrimes were also rampant specially online scams, and KI14: It affects the Technological advancement by people learned how to transact business online through their cellphones.

Policy Adaptation
Evidence-based, continually assessed, and adaptation to changing contexts, especially with the growth of technology, are among the features of effective policies as stipulated in the following responses: KI7: Technology enhancement to solve crime is a deterrent in the commission of crime., KI8: Yes, particularly that we are now on the technology generations wherein criminal elements are also evolving, so to keep up with the rapid changes, some government policies should be amended to counteract those evolving of crime pattern, KI9: The current policies or strategies undertaken by us is enough to address this crime pattern except for the cybercrimes.

Decreased Rapport with Police
Responses of KI1, KI7, KI10, KI12, and KI13 suggest that the strict implementation of Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) led to a decrease in the rapport between the community and the police.This decline in community-police relations was believed to have contributed to a rise in crimes.During strict lockdowns, limitations on movement and social interaction may have reduced the opportunities for community engagement with law enforcement.This breakdown in rapport could result in decreased trust and collaboration, potentially impacting crime reporting and prevention efforts.

Little Implication of Government-Imposed Policies on Crime Patterns
The majority response forms a theme that underscores the shared perspective among participants: a perceived lack of substantial influence from government policies on the patterns of focus on crimes.This theme implies a consensus that, according to their observations and experiences, existing government policies have not played a significant role in shaping the observed dynamics of focus crimes.This could be gleaned on the following responses: KI1: No, KI4: None, KI6: None, KI10: No, KI11: sa akin, wala naman po akong naobserbahan, KI13: None, KI15: None, KI16: None, and KI17: None.However, it is noteworthy that some participants, through the responses of KI2, KI3, KI9, and KI12, highlight the considerable impact of pandemic-related policies on crime occurrences.Below are the responses: KI2: Yes, having strict implementation of laws and for the government to address the needs of the community fairly., KI3: yes, in implementing ECQ, KI9: Local policies implemented especially during pandemic period have greatly influence the occurrence of crimes., KI12: Yes, there is changes in local policies or government responses that influenced the occurrence of Theft and Robbery wherein jobless individuals tend to commit crimes to provide foods and shelter to his/her family.

Strategies Been Effective in Reducing or Preventing the Commission of Crimes Effective Police Visibility
To make sure that it serves the community's best interests while upholding civil rights and liberties, effective police visibility should be supported by community participation, openness, and accountability.
A number of crime prevention techniques, including community policing, patrol, and crime mapping can successfully stop criminal behavior; these tactics center on locating and dealing with risk factors and vulnerabilities in communities.In an intensified drive against criminality, police visibility certainly plays a big role in maintaining peace and order.The mere presence of a policeman in a busy area could always deter a criminal from pulling off his trade.

.conduct of patrol Police Legitimacy in Community relationship
The best strategy for obtaining citizen cooperation was normative compliance, which is based on the ideas of procedural fairness, emphasizing respect, and outlining the decision's justification.Police legitimacy is promoted by officers acting in a distributive and procedural fair manner, which has the unintended consequence of encouraging regulations to be voluntarily followed.(Grace, 2020).KI 6: it helped lessen the commission and occurrence of crimes., KI 10: police community relations improved.,KI 13: The participation of the community with the police have greatly contributed in resolving crimes.The

Consistent Public Awareness Campaigns
Public awareness campaigns are another powerful strategy for raising awareness of the issue of rape occurrences, to make sure communities are aware of the tools available, and how to report such actions.Campaigns for public awareness can be carried out using messages, films, outreach, media, stakeholder meetings, and other methods.KI 13: Yes, community-based initiatives played a role in addressing or preventing any of these focus crimes by calling/reporting any crimes that transpired within their Barangays.They are the ones arresting suspects and turning it over to the police.Need for updated policies or strategies to address the evolving crime patterns.
Strengthening the policies or strategies in technological innovation is an effective approach in addressing the evolving crime pattern.The evolution of our efforts to prevent crime throughout time underlines the idea that technology, or more precisely, technical innovation, has been the catalyst for reforming crime prevention and crime control techniques, both by private people and concerned groups, as well as by official police agencies (Reichert, 2001;Chan, 2001;Harris, 2007).Information-based technologies (also known as soft technologies) and material-based technologies (also known as hard technologies) are the two main categories of technical innovations that can be distinguished.KI 8: Yes, particularly that we are now in the technology generation wherein criminal elements are also evolving, so to keep up with the rapid changes, some government policies should be amended to counteract those evolving of crime pattern.KI

Conclusion
Maintaining public safety is one of the core duties of law enforcement responsibilities to its inhabitants.The protection and security of one's person are frequently recognized as fundamental human rights and are vital to the general quality of life in the community.The society is dealing with several societal issues and problems.One of these issues is crime, which has an impact on socioeconomic life in the city.The COVID-19 Pandemic's surge, which increased unemployment, fear, and stress, has made the problem of criminality worse.In addition to the threat posed by the COVID, the eight-focus crime in the City of Baguio has grown and has become a risk to public safety.However, the development of vaccinations has prepared the way for the end for more than two years lockdown, which is a crucial element in the lowering of various crimes listed in the eight focused crimes.The police have been told to return to their normal duties following the Covid pandemic.

Recommendations
Improving law enforcement efforts and community response to focus crimes during the post-COVID-19 period is crucial for maintaining public safety and ensuring the well-being of communities.Based on the response of our Key Informants following are the comprehensive recommendations and observations provided: A. Information dissemination and community engagement through: 1. establish regular channels of communication, such as community meetings, social media, and newsletters, to share crime prevention tips, and updates, and encourage citizen involvement to foster trust, encourage cooperation, and allow the community to be more vigilant and aware of safety concerns.2. fostering sustained collaboration through regular meetings and information sharing, ensuring strict enforcement of city ordinances, and imposing penalties for non-compliance; B. Evaluation of governing rules via the formation of a City Task Force or committee comprised of various stakeholders to review and propose updates to laws, policies, and procedures on a regular basis, taking into account lessons learned from the pandemic that are required to adapt to changing circumstances.It is critical to analyze which policies and procedures require modification in the post-COVID-19 scenario.C. Improving police presence and capabilities in collaboration with the Baguio City local government by investing in sophisticated cybersecurity measures and technology such as CCTV cameras.
Furthermore, collaborating with technical experts to adapt to evolving technological advancements and providing comprehensive training for PNP personnel to bolster security in high-crime areas, deter criminal activity, and instill community confidence while effectively countering online threats and cybercrime; D. Encourage community engagement and participation in crime prevention efforts such as night patrolling watch programs, visiting local establishments, attending community meetings, actively listening to residents' concerns, and scheduling regular night patrols in high crime areas as a means of yielding valuable information and support and further addressing crimes that tend to occur during the nighttime hours.E. Encourage businesses and establishments to install CCTV cameras on their premises as a deterrent to crime and to provide vital evidence when incidents occur, with the possibility of granting incentives or tax benefits for compliance; and F. Convene legislative bodies to evaluate current laws and discuss the adoption of new laws or ordinances to address the particular difficulties and issues that have arisen since COVID-19.
community are now reporting to the police specially on suspects that committed a crime.Thus, gaining their trust.Community-based initiatives in addressing or preventing any of these focus crimes.The Baguio City Police Office report indicates that after nearly two years of an increase in the eight-focus crime, notably rape from 2020-2021, rape cases decreased in the third and fourth quarters of 2022 by 28.57percent and continued to reduce as 2023 rolled around.A significant contributing component is strengthened community policing.Community involvement in the crime prevention initiative was made possible by modifications to traditional policing.KI 1: Yes, PCR activity contributed to preventing the rise of crimes because it serves as a proactive solution or deterrence., KI 6: yes, it served as a deterrent factor to these focus crimes.Community Outreach PrioritizationWhen possible, community engagement should be given top priority in efforts to address rape incidents.Law enforcement, public servants, political officials, medical professionals, community-based groups, and other nonprofits fall under this category.KI 8: Yes, maintenance of peace and order in the locality is not only the sole responsibility of the law enforcers, it needs the whole of nation approach in addressing the commission of any crime/s towards lasting peace and development.,KI11:  kung hindi tutulong ang barangay o komunidad na labanan ang krimen, mahihirapan pa rin ang mga kapulisan na panatilihin ang kaayusan at katahimikan sa isang lugar.Community-Based Responses and Partnerships EnhancementAlong with prioritizing community engagement, police and government actors need to work together more effectively, comprehend community-based rape prevention measures, and support them.Support for continuing initiatives run by community-based organizations and local leaders can help victims of sexual abuse.KI 12: Yes, the community-based initiatives played a role in addressing or preventing the occurrence of Rape and Physical Injuries.KI 14: yes, engagement to the barangay wherein police personnel will roam around the community also conduct seminars to the tanods.
12: Yes, it needs updated policies or strategies to address the evolving crime patterns of Rape, Theft and Robbery case because criminals nowadays wear facemask, fullmask and other protective gadgets to avoid detected or identified.Material-Based TechnologiesNew substances, tools, and apparatus that can be used to either commit or stop crime are known as "hard technology innovations."One can first distinguish between developments in the law enforcement field that have a hard material base and those that have a less tangible information soft base.Hard technologies that aim to deter crime are more common.the commonplace deployment of metal detectors during patrols and CCTV cameras.We can also spot hard technological breakthroughs being employed by police, such as new guns, less-than-lethal force devices, new technology-enhanced patrol cars, and new police protective gear.Take note of the use of personal protection items (tasers, mace, lifeline/emergency call).KI 11: ang mga kriminal ay pinag aaralan, pinagpaplanuhan mga gagawin nilang krimen at para malabanan natin sila, dapat lang na mag inniovate din ang gobyerno sa mga policies nila na hindi na tumutugma sa panahon natin ngayun Information-based Technologies Soft technologies refer to the strategic use of data to reduce crime (e.g., the creation of risk and threat assessment tools) and to enhance police performance (e.g., predictive policing technology and video streaming and recording capabilities in police cars).New software applications, categorization systems, methods for analyzing criminal activity, and methods for data sharing and system integration are examples of soft technology developments.KI 2: Yes, there should be a wider and reliable rules to address the.needs of the people during these times of pandemic.KI 7: Technology enhancement to solve crime is a deterrent in the commission of crime.Strengthened Community policingBy identifying areas having a high level of rape incidents.The Opportunity theory suggests that there is a potential and a possible reduction of criminal offense being perpetrated.Presence of Police officers in the identified area may remove the opportunity to commit crime.Coordinating with local officials, community-based organizations, and anchor institutions and conducting crime prevention drive will establish a good relationship with the community.KI 1: Information dissemination thru socmed and active engagement with the community is highly recommended.KI  3: Enhance police visibility and give also prioritizes to the things necessary needed by the police officers during their duty.KI 4: Community participation.KI 11: presensiya ng kapulisan sa komunidad ang isang kailangan natin, dapat maramdaman ng mamamayan ang ating kapulisan, makipagkuwentuhan at hindi lang yung pag nagpatrol na gamit ang mobile ay deretsong nakasakay sa mobile, dapat bumaba rin sila, kuwento kuwento sa mga establishment, sa mga nasa barangay hall, nasa kalsada na mga nakatambay 1. 2 Improved Crime Prevention MeasureThe second phase involves using technology and data to pinpoint exactly where there are a lot of rape cases taking place.Only specific individuals are actually at the greatest danger of either perpetrating or being the victim of rape, even in neighborhoods plagued by crime.Crime Pattern Theory makes an effort to prevent crime by implementing effective preventive measures, such as installing CCTV cameras inside and around residential buildings, adding streetlights along alleys, and encouraging residents to participate in neighborhood and community watch programs.People keep their watch for any suspicious conduct and report it to the police.KI 12: Based on my observations and experience during the post-COVID-19 period, I recommend that all establishments will installed CCTV at their premises to prevent any occurrence of the crimes.KI 13: Sustained police presence especially on identified crime prone areas.Open communication with the community and police.KI 14: Patrolling, community engagement, installation of cctv cameras.1.3 Developed Anti-Criminality Strategies using the Advancement of Technology Even a cursory review of the historical development of our efforts to prevent crime underscores the point that technology or more precisely, technological innovation has been the driving force leading to reform of crime prevention and crime control strategies, both by individual citizens and concerned groups, and by formal police agencies(Reichert and Harris, 2007).KI 7: Technology enhancement to solve crime is a deterrent in the commission of crime.KI 8: Yes, particularly that we are now on the technology generations wherein criminal elements are also evolving, so to keep up with the rapid changes, some government policies shoud be amended to counteract those evolving of crime pattern.KI 9: The current policies or strategies undertaken by us is enough to address this crime pattern except for the cybercrimes.