NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH AS A STRATEGY FOR CURBING INSECURITY TOWARDS PROMOTION OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT IN ENUGU STATE

Abstract

This study examined neighbourhood watch as a strategy for curbing insecurity towards promotion of community development in Enugu State. The study adopted a descriptive survey design The population of the study was 717 respondents comprising 250 Police Officers, 271 members of neighbourhood watch outfit and 196 volunteers from community based organisations in three local government areas in the three senatorial districts of Enugu State. A sample size of 215 respondents was selected. The proportionate sampling technique was adopted in selecting 30% of the population of police officers neighbourhood watch personnel and volunteers from community based organisations in the study area. A self-designed questionnaire titled “ Neighbourhood Watch as a Strategy for Curbing in Security Questionnaire” (NWSCSQ) was used as the instrument for data collection in the study. The questionnaire was validated by two test experts and one in the field of Adult Education and Community Development and the other in Measurement and Evaluation. The reliability of the Instrument was tested using the test re-test method. A reliability index of 0.88 was obtained which showed the instrument was reliable. Mean statistics was used to analyse the data collected. The findings of the study among other things revealed that neighborhood watch strategy is used to tackle insecurity in Enugu State through arresting of criminals by neighbourhood watch group, reporting of cult activities to the police and exposure of hideouts of criminals. Based on the findings it was recommended among other things that Government at federal and state levels should provide a legal framework through enactment of legislations to enforce the creation of neighbourhood watch groups in the 36 States of Nigeria. This would deal with the rising spate of insecurity in the nation.