Examining the impact of voluntary patrol unit on social capital development in Malaysia

An alarming increase in criminal activities has caused fear among societies and affected their daily routines. In order to improve the situation, the government has introduced several measures including community policing that requires cooperation between police and community. Within this framework, this study attempts to explore the relationship between community policing and social capital. The premise of the study evolves on the belief that fear of crime, perception of crime, and concern for crime are predictors of social capital which includes participation, cooperation, and communication. In regard to methodology, this study utilises quantitative approach. Specifically, survey questionnaires were randomly distributed to 1,161 respondents who are members of voluntary patrol unit (SRS). Based on regression analysis, the findings indicate that only perception of crime, and awareness for crime have a significant relationship with social capital. Specifically, concern for crime proves to be the strongest predictor of social capital compared to fear of crime and perception of crime. These quantitative findings reveal that community empowerment is likely to take place when communities are concerned about criminal activities in their area, and thus take necessary action to become actively engaged with other community members to fight against crime