Number of crime-victim families rises to 1.8 million in Q4 2018 – SWS

Some 1.8 million or 7.6 percent of Filipino families reported being victimized by common crimes in the past six months, according to a Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey taken during 2018's fourth quarter.

The poll, released on Friday, that the number of crime-victim families was up 1.5 points since the 6.1 percent (1.4 million families) in the 3rd quarter, and was the highest since the 7.6 during 2017's fourth quarter.

Common crimes refers to pick-pocketing or robbery of personal property, break-ins, carnapping, and physical violence.

The poll also found that 61 percent were fearful of burglary, which was higher than the previous quarter's 52 percent.

Meanwhile, at least 54 percent did not feel safe walking the streets at night, which was higher the 2018's 3rd quarter number of 46 percent.

Families who suffered break-ins rose rose across the country, except in the Visayas where it was down 0.6 percent from the third quarter's 2.3 percent.

Meanwhile, as families who experienced carnapping rose in Metro Manila in during the fourth quarter, zero cases were recorded among vehicle-owning families in Balance Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.

Fear of drug addicts

At least 39 percent of respondents agreed with the statement: “In this neighborhood there are already very many people addicted to banned drugs."

The percentage was down two points from the 41 percent recorded during 2018's second and third quarters.

Families fearing the presence of drugs stayed highest in Metro Manila at 53 percent, followed by the Visayas (41 percent), Balance Luzon at (39 percent), and Mindanao at (26 percent).

However, compared to the third quarter results, the fourth quareter survey found that the fear of many drug addicts in their areas fell by 10 points from 63 percent in Metro Manila, by 4 points from 30 percent in Mindanao, and by 1 point from 42 percent in the Visayas.

The rate stayed at 39 percent in Balance Luzon.

The Fourth Quarter common-crimes survey was taken from December 16 to 19, 2018 using face to face interviews among1,440 adults (18 years old and above).

The poll had sampling error margins of ±2.6 percent for national percentages, and ±5 percent each for Balance Luzon, Metro Manila, Visayas, and Mindanao. — Margaret Claire Layug/DVM, GMA News