Digital Mystery: Enhanced Active Citizens’ Participation Through Information Communications Technology in Community Policing

Abstract

The ubiquitous proliferation of mobile phones has made digital surveillance and monitoring both accessible and desirable. Citizens have actively engaged in managing their neighborhood security.  The study aims to analyze participatory policing practices that citizens do in their neighbourhood security management and apply Information Communication Technology. To achieve the research objective, the study used mixed methods exploratory sequential design. Qualitative purposive sampling targeted four focus group discussions and one key informant guided by an interview guide. The household survey used randomly sampled 432 respondents using a structured questionnaire. Data collected was analyzed using descriptive statistics in SPSS version 20. Qualitative data analysis follows transcribing, coding, and grouping into sub-themes, themes answering to research objectives. Results show citizens engage neighborhood patrols and they feel responsible and are satisfied with level of participation. Almost every person counts and this includes every gender in securing neighborhoods. Citizens use SMS seconded by WhatsApp and least Telephone calls for participatory activities, have revolutionized communication for (i) reporting and requesting transport on security information to police and CPF members, (ii) for organizing patrols and (iii) mobilizing help during participatory activities in the neighborhoods. ICTs have greatly enhanced citizens' participation in managing security within their neighbourhoods because they accorded real-time updates, real-time responses, and real-time capacity to access prompt assistance through virtual context. Virtual platform accorded wide formal and non-formal communication with authorities and increased social cohesion, collective efficacy and community guardianship improving prevention of crime and the arresting of suspects.