MAPPING CRIME HOTSPOTS IN DAVAO CITY: A SPATIAL ANALYSIS

Autores/as

  • Eleanor Jane O. Dela Cruz RCrim, University of Mindanao, Philippines
  • Rowela C. Pecson PhD, University of Mindanao, Philippines

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.46827/ejsss.v12i4.2293

Palabras clave:

criminal justice, GIS, crime hotspots, spatial analysis, crime mapping, index crimes, Davao City

Resumen

This study analyzed the spatial distribution of index crimes in Davao City from 2020 to 2025 using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to identify crime hotspots and examine patterns of crime concentration. Specifically, it focused on index crimes: rape, homicide, murder, robbery, theft, carnapping motor vehicle, carnapping motorcycle, and physical injuries. A quantitative, descriptive, and non-experimental research design was employed, utilizing secondary crime data obtained from the Davao City Police Office - City Investigation and Detective Management Unit. The data were organized using Microsoft Excel and analyzed through Quantum Geographic Information System to generate crime hotspot maps and identify barangays with high concentrations of crime incidents. The findings revealed that crime incidents were spatially concentrated in specific barangays rather than randomly distributed. Bucana consistently emerged as a recurring hotspot from 2020 to 2025, and rape was the dominant index crime from 2020 to 2023, whereas theft became the most prevalent crime in 2024 and 2025. The results support theories of this study, indicating that crime is influenced by population density, commercial activity, transportation networks, and human mobility. The study highlights the value of GIS-based crime mapping in supporting evidence-based policing, strategic resource allocation, hotspot policing, and public safety planning in Davao City.

 

SDG Indicator: #16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions)

Biografía del autor/a

  • Eleanor Jane O. Dela Cruz, RCrim, University of Mindanao, Philippines

    Eleanor Jane O. Dela Cruz, RCrim, is currently an instructor at the College of Criminal Justice Education, University of Mindanao and a candidate for the Master of Science in Criminal Justice at the Professional Schools, University of Mindanao, Philippines. Since joining the academe in 2023, she has actively participated in various trainings, workshops, and seminars in the fields of criminology and forensic science, and aims to focus her research on crime mapping, spatial analysis, and the geographic patterns of crime. She also serves as an instructor in DEFTAC (Defense Tactics), particularly in First Aid and Water Survival.

  • Rowela C. Pecson, PhD, University of Mindanao, Philippines

    Rowela C. Pecson (PhD) is a professor at the College of Criminal Justice Education, University of Mindanao, and holds a Doctor of Philosophy in Criminal Justice with a specialization in Criminology from the Professional Schools, University of Mindanao, Philippines. Currently, through her active membership in the Philippine Society of Criminologist and Criminal Justice (PSCCJP), she has been actively participating in seminar training, as the facilitator, in the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) “Seminars and Training for Environmental Crime” in many parts of the country and as, resource speaker and facilitator, United States Department of Justice – Office of Prosecutorial Development and Trainings (OPDAT) “Cybercrime Training of Trainers.

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Publicado

2026-08-11

Número

Vol. 12 Núm. 4 (2026)

Sección

Articles