Enhancing community participation in smart safety zones: A mixed-methods study of crime prevention in Phuket, Thailand

Abstract

Crime prevention in smart cities relies on integrated community engagement supported by efficient surveillance systems. Despite significant investments in smart policing infrastructure, there is a lack of empirical evidence concerning the impact of demographic factors on community participation in technology-driven crime prevention frameworks. Based on community policing theory and crime triangle theory, this research examines guidelines aimed at enhancing the effectiveness of community involvement in proactive crime prevention and suppression within the Smart Safety Zone 4.0 project in Phuket Province, Thailand. A mixed-methods approach was applied, with 400 respondents representing police, civilians, local government, businesses, and media. Quantitative data were analyzed through descriptive statistics and one-way ANOVA, while qualitative data were obtained from in-depth interviews with 15 selected informants. Findings show that the project effectively incorporated AI technologies, CCTV surveillance equipment, and community policing networks, leading to increased public participation (mean = 4.02, S.D. = 0.753), especially in awareness-raising and collaborative initiatives. Age and married status were significant determinants of involvement (p < 0.05), but gender, education, employment, and income were not. Key challenges included budget restrictions, poor public understanding, and incomplete technical integration. The "Big 6" collaboration model provides a structure for different groups to work together for crime prevention. The outcomes contribute to policy development for smart city safety governance, especially in tourism-dependent economies aiming for sustainable, technology-driven community security systems.