The role of the police in preventing juvenile delinquency in the municipality of Luanda, urban district of Samba (Morro Bento neighbourhood) from 2017 to July 2018

Abstract

This paper discusses the role of the police in preventing juvenile delinquency. To conduct the study, a mixed methodology was used, i.e., a qualitative and quantitative approach, drawing on bibliographic, documentary, exploratory, and descriptive research. This is an increasingly worrying reality in our society. The high number of crimes committed by adolescents and young people in the Morro Bento neighbourhood is a serious public safety problem. In fact, these crimes are reported daily in the capital's media. In addressing this current issue, we draw on other fundamental sciences, such as adolescent psychology, social psychology, sociology and child psychopathology, to better understand the causes of this social phenomenon. A sociocultural characterisation of the inhabitants of the Morro Bento neighbourhood was carried out, establishing a link between the experiences of the residents and juvenile delinquency. Polygamy also emerges as a sociocultural phenomenon that contributes greatly to juvenile delinquency. Based on the study conducted and the interviews with the residents, we found that the sociocultural aspects mentioned above, in conjunction with dysfunctional families and low levels of education, as well as excessive alcohol consumption, have contributed decisively to the delinquent lifestyle of these young people. In this vein, we put forward some hypotheses, such as poverty, child abuse and (dysfunctional) family management, which lead young people in that district to engage in delinquent practices. Despite the legal framework surrounding this phenomenon of delinquency, it is clear that there is still a long way to go.