Abstract:
The main purpose of this study was to assess the contribution of Professional night patrols in
crime prevention in Gahanga Sector. This research study had three specific objectives: To
examine the contribution of professional night patrols to crime prevention in Gahanga Sector; to
assess the challenges facing effective professional night patrols in Gahanga Sector; and to
identify measures to address the challenges facing night patrols in Gahanga Sector.
The importance of community night patrols in crime prevention has been embraced by
communities and security organs as a suitable solution for crime problems. This security
community-led alternative/approach gained its success since security institutions and
governments realized that law enforcement alone cannot reduce crime without involving
communities.
The study helped the researcher improve on the knowledge about effectiveness of community
night patrols/irondo ry’umwuga in crime prevention and provides insight into the effectiveness
and challenges facing community night patrols in Ghanga sector. The study employed both
quantitative and qualitative methods, and participants such as citizens, local leaders and security
members operating in Gahanga Sector were randomly and purposively selected. Data were
collected using self administered questionnaires and interview guide. Key findings show that
Gahanga community night patrols did not contributed to crime prevention due various factors
including delay in payment, poor collaboration and lack of public trust, Limited understanding of
the concept of professional night patrols by the residents among others. The information
collected and analyzed will help other researchers in the above area; to Gahanga Sector, the recommendations will help it to improve on its general crime prevention.
