COMMUNITY-BASED CRIME PREVENTION IN MEKELLE CITY, THE CASE OF HADNET SUB-CITY

Abstract

This paper assesses community based crime prevention in Mekelle city, Hadnet sub city. Community based crime prevention is one of the approaches to crime prevention. It arises due to the fact that the state cannot cope and prevent crime alone with help, support, and active participation of the community. This means that community has responsibility to prevent and reduce theft crime and to secure its own safety and citizens. the study has employed mixed research approach, based on primary and secondary data collected through key informants, Focus Group Discussions, in-depth interviews, both open and close ended questionnaire’s, document analysis and observation. Both probability and nonprobability sampling methods was used to select the study area and sample respondents. 60 sample respondents were used from the total population based on purposive sampling. And the data was drawn and analyzed by SPPS software to show the result, draw tables, percentage and frequency for its quantitative part and thematic analysis also used to qualitative. The study showed CBCP has reduced Crime and fear of crime; and it has also improved police community relations in the study area. Furthermore, the role of community participation is in good shape. Likewise, some of the stakeholders are playing a good role in crime prevention. On the other hand, some factors that hinder CBCP from playing its crime prevention role are identified: the presence of poor quality of education, unemployment, poverty, fear and anxiety, poor economy, lack of transparency and accountability, the war in Tigray, lack of integrity, loyalty, and lack of responsibility are some of them. The study has also portrayed some crime types that are tough to be prevented by community, ‘’hang’’, pickpocketing, robbery, receiving stolen goods, burglary, snatching. House breaking, auto theft, petty thefts are the common one. The study showed the presence of low legal protection against community members who participate in preventing crimes. Thus, the study suggests more involvement of the community and coordination between the community, local authorities and stakeholders is important in preventing theft and maximizing legal protection.