The Effect of Covid-19 Pandemic on Crimes in The Province of Isabela

Abstract

This paper focuses on the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on crimes, particularly on the prevailing crimes, crime trends, crime schemes or commissions, and the Police response to the crimes between non-pandemic and pandemic periods. The study used an explanatory sequential approach to reciprocally support groups of data. The quantitative data is taken from the PNP Crime Information Reporting and Analysis System (CIRAS) of cities and selected municipalities affected by COVID-19 in the Province of Isabela. The qualitative data were collected through a semi-structured interview with the Chief of Police and investigators of the station. The study revealed that homicide, rape, violation of RA No. 11332, and vehicular incidents were the most committed. Intoxication is the key player in crimes and a shift to the subject was noted. The upward trajectory of crime during the pandemic was interconnected with the violation of the Republic Act (R.A.) No. 11332 through disobedience and arrogance to the person in authority. Income-related crimes are noted to have just emerged while work-and-business-related crimes have gone during the pandemic. The crime trend shows that if the pandemic persists, crimes dynamically trail an upward trend. The PNP in the Province of Isabela strictly adheres to its mandates and shows resiliency in pandemic crimes and COVID-19.