Impact of Hunters and Forests Security Groups on Crime Reduction and Control in Kaltungo/Shongom Local Government Area, Gombe State, Nigeria

The study carefully examines the impact of hunter
and forest security groups on crime reduction and
control in the
Kaltungo/Shongom
Local
Government Area, Gombe State. The study
employed the survey research design. Data were
collected through the used interview and
questionnaires. Theoretical framework for the
study was the broken window theory developed by
Philip Zimbardo (1969). The study found that the
main strategies used by hunters and forest security
groups to reduce crime includes foot patrol,
collaboration and community meetings, and public
education programs. This shows that, forest
security groups and hunters have much impact on
reducing crimes. Their challenges include lack of
training, poor implementation strategies,
information gap and lack of involvement leads to
unrealistic community expectations and present a
challenge to the police force and the communities at
large. In conclusion, the study reveals the
important roles played by the hunters and forest
security groups in ensuring crime free environment,
the study also reveals some challenges that the
group faces when administering the functions and
duties. The study recommended that the
communities members should be assisting the group in one way or the other and also help in providing the necessary facilities that
the group need for a better function should be given to them. The communities must
participate in planning and choosing approaches as well as becoming equal owners
of the process. Both the Police Force, communities and the hunters and forest
security need to have clearly defined roles and be given the skills and resources to
carry it out.