CRIME INCIDENCE DURING COVID-19 PANDEMIC IN BARANGAY CALUMPANG, GENERAL SANTOS CITY: A PHENOMENOLOGICAL STUDY

The effects of COVID-19 to the crime incidence in Barangay Calumpang, General Santos City is emphasized in this study. It reveals the experiences of the informants, effects of COVID-19 Pandemic to the crime incidence and the informants meaning to the restrictions imposed by the Inter-Agency Task Force. The study is anchored on Functionalism theory that explains how social structures are interconnected and have specific functions for the community.

This is a qualitative study using phenomenological approach, and used thematic analysis for the data. The participants are composed of one (1) barangay kagawad who is the head of peace in order in the barangay and seven (7) tanods who were purposively selected. Open-ended interview guide was used during the key-informant interview. Transcribing, coding, and identifying themes were done from the narratives of the participants.

The restrictions and protocols that were implemented to lessen the spread of the COVID-19 infection relatively affected the crime incidence. The findings of the study show how the functions of the implemented restrictions such as stay-at- home policies, restrictions on mobility, and high police visibility affected the crime incidence that are experienced by the key informants in Barangay Calumpang, General Santos City. Also, this study exposed problems that could be addressed by local government policies for crime control and safety of the community, and further empirical investigation in the academe.