Analysis of Investment for the Prevention of Crimes in Residential Bungalow Buildings: Case Study of Kwara State.

Abstract

The costs of installing building security have escalated as a result of inflationary trends. The study aimed at effecting an improvement in the security of lives and property within residential bungalow buildings. The objectives include determining the relationship between cost of built-in security and total cost of buildings. A pilot survey assisted in building up historical profile of trends in breaking and entering/burglary crimes in Kwara state over the period 1997 to 2001.The research data was obtained from field work. A Bill of Quantities for a designed residential bungalow building was used. The findings from data analysis revealed that costs of providing anti-burglar proofing and fence had a significant relationship with the aggregate cost of security (R-square of 39.8% and 61.6% respectively with Pvalue of 0.000, less than 0.05 degree of freedom). While, gate-house had a significant relationship with the Total Building Cost (R2=35.8% &Pvalue=0.000, less than 0.05 degree of freedom). The study concluded that in four bedroom residential bungalow, only the cost of fence and gate-house relative to aggregate cost of security and the Total Building Costs can be planned and expected to provide a valid results .It was recommended that fence and gate-house should be the priority of the building type owners, while the design of burglary bars to windows and doors should always allow for escape route in case of fire incident or any other serious occurrences when used. This could be implemented by basing preliminary estimates on full details of construction, (e.g. working drawings).