CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1     Background of the Study

The discovery of the mechanism for crime prevention and control in any human society can be traced far back centuries. Traditionally, the maintenance of law and order in any society is usually the exclusive role of traditional rulers or family affair (Ikuteyijo and Rotimi, 2018). Later gradually move from the hands of traditional or family to conventional policing where mechanism for prevention and control of crime is vastly in the hand of police and other law enforcement agencies. The movement from the conventional policing to community oriented policing has gained momentum in recent years as police and community leaders search for more effective ways to promote public safety and security. This has enhance greater deal for policing in the whole world. The roots of community oriented policing comes from the history of Modern law enforcement which began in England with the formation of the London Metropolitan Police District in 1829 by Sir Robert Peel. The new police force was created to address the soaring crime rates in Great Britain’s capital. Peel, the first chief of the police force, is credited with developing several innovations that are still practiced today. They stressed the importance of controlling minor crimes and disorders in an effort to curb more serious crime. (Braiden, 1992 cited in U.S Bureau of Justice Assistance 1994). Making residents feel safer and improving their quality of life should be the goal of police. This idea sparked the development of a number of different police strategies and tactics designed to improve police-community relations. Community policing is a philosophy and strategy of law enforcement that emphasizes building partnerships between police and the community to identify and address public safety concerns. This approach seeks to improve trust, increase police legitimacy, and enhance crime prevention efforts through joint problem-solving initiatives (Skogan, 2016). Among youths, community policing has been associated with reducing delinquency, improving social cohesion, and enhancing positive relationships with law enforcement agencies (Weisburd & Eck, 2014).

In many developing countries, including Nigeria, youth involvement in crime is exacerbated by socioeconomic factors such as unemployment, poverty, and peer pressure (Olawale, 2018). Traditional policing methods, which often involve aggressive law enforcement tactics, have led to strained relationships between police officers and young people, resulting in fear, distrust, and resistance to authority. However, community policing offers a more preventive approach by engaging youths in crime prevention programs, mentorship initiatives, and social development activities (Umaru & Okon, 2021). Ferreira (2001) argues that the wounds caused by questionable police involvement in government suppression of the citizens of former non-democratic societies would be healed the fastest if community policing becomes a reality based on trust and cooperation. Only then will the police be able to truly serve and protect those model citizens who strive to obey the laws that their own democracy creates. An effective policing strategy must provide a framework that allows community members to participate in securing themselves, their properties and national interests. Crime is identified as one of the major obstacles to development. Imbalanced/inadequately  planned development contributes to criminality and thereby constitutes a threat to good  quality life, security of life and property, democracy, good governance, rule of law and  free exercise of human rights (UN office of drugs & crime, 2015). State security involves the use of the military to protect the citizens from attacks and to ensure the wellbeing of the people using economic variables (Thom-Otuya, 2017).

Statement of the Problem

Crime prevention remains a major challenge in many communities, particularly among youths who are often vulnerable to criminal activities due to socio-economic and environmental factors. In Akure South Local Government, Ondo State, rising crime rates, including theft, cultism, drug abuse, and other social vices, have raised concerns about the effectiveness of existing crime prevention strategies.

Traditional policing methods, which rely heavily on reactive law enforcement, have often proven inadequate in curbing youth-related crimes. The gap between the police and the community has led to a lack of trust and cooperation, making it difficult for law enforcement agencies to gather intelligence and effectively address security threats. As a result, community policing has emerged as a proactive approach that fosters collaboration between the police and residents to prevent crime through collective responsibility, intelligence-sharing, and grassroots security initiatives.