Abstract

Gang involvement among youth remains a pressing concern that threatens community safety and youth development, particularly in urban barangays. This study aimed to assess the factors associated with gang involvement in Barangay 175 Camarin, Caloocan City, and to propose a local safety campaign program based on the findings. This research was informed by the quantitative-descriptive approach. The respondents comprised of guardians and barangay officials of the Barangay 175 of Camarin, Caloocan City who were chosen under proper sampling methods. The survey questionnaire was surveyed using a structured survey questionnaire that had been validated and tested with reliability. Data collected were done by solving them by the use of descriptive statistical tools like frequency, per-centage, weighted mean, and ranking and inferential statistics to show significant responses difference. The study findings indicated that community and social factors, parental, and peer and school influence the gang involvement of youth in the barangay. The results also revealed that the issues that are experienced most frequently are lack of co-ordination between parents, guardians and barangay officials, lack of youth development programs, lack of community surveillance, fear of being retaliated in reporting any gang activity and poor public awareness about gang prevention. According to the findings, the study, in turn, proposed the creation of Bayanihan sa Kaligtasan at Kabataan (BKK) Program, a local safety campaign, de-designed to achieve a stronger coordination of the stakeholders, positive youth development, and community vigilance, and the practice of safe reporting. The implication of the study is that a community-based and collaborative intervention program can help in curbing gang activity and enhance the overall safety of the community in Barangay 175, Camamarin, Caloocan City.