Crime Rate in Ozamiz City, Philippines

Abstract

Crime rate in Ozamiz City has not been adequately assessed. Police reports are limited to mere classification of indexed and non-indexed crimes without details on the chronological patterns during the commission of crimes. This study aimed to determine the crime rate in Ozamiz City for the past four years from calendar year 2010 to 2013. Documentary analysis of crimes reported, recorded and docketed in the police blotter of Ozamiz City Police Station and interviews with the case investigators were conducted to determine the location and time. The annual crime indexes of the City were also compared. Findings showed an increased crime volume in 2011 relative to 2010, but a notable decrease occurred in 2012. However, a sudden rise was evident in 2013. The order of the most common index crimes that had been reported and recorded in the police blotter was physical injuries, theft, robbery, murder, carnapping, homicide and rape respectively. Illegal logging, riding motorcycles without plate number, license and registration were the common non-index crimes. Violation of prohibited drugs and domestic violence were the non-index crimes committed against special laws. The commission of index crimes was higher compared to non-index crimes. Index crimes were prevalent from 1200H to 1700H in the area. Streets, homes and boarding houses were identified as the prone areas where crimes occurred. The results of the study may serve as baseline data for law enforcers in formulating strategies for crime prevention and control. Keywords: blotter, drug, robbery, theft, violence