Formulating an online strategy for improving security through community policing in Dandora, Nairobi County

Abstract

Traditional policing alone, is not effective in tackling recent and diverse methods of crime. Crime rates have increased among the youth, compounded with extreme poverty, drug and substance abuse among others. There is ill-preparedness of the police in terms of logistics and equipment, which is yet to be fully addressed and thus the need for improved strategies. This can be attained if a good strategy such as community policing is effectively adopted. The aim of this study was to investigate community policing in Dandora area, Nairobi County and formulate an online strategy for improving security intelligence between the community and the police service. The objectives of the study were to: investigate the types of crimes reported in Dandora; establish how the residents of Dandora use ICT based technologies in crime prevention; assess the modes of passing information between the community and the security agencies; examine the challenges faced by both the community and the police in community policing; and design and develop an ICT based solution that will support in community policing in Dandora, Nairobi County. Two theories guided the researcher in support of online strategy in improving security namely: Social disorganisation theory on crime and theoretical perspectives on ICT based technologies in community policing. Questionnaires and document analysis were used as tools in data collection. A sample size of 384 respondents participated in the study. Data collected was analysed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) and the design modelled using UML. A waterfall software development model was adopted for the system. The main findings of the study showed a majority of the residents have been victims of crime and those who reported the cases to the administration did so physically. In conclusion, the residents of Dandora are acquainted with crime cases not being reported because of fear when reporting; a large number of both residents and the police have access to ICT tools that are useful in crime detection and prevention. The study recommends an online strategy for boosting community policing thus improving security. A web based system was designed based on the findings to aid community policing.