NCJ Number
106828
Date Published
1987
Length
105 pages
Annotation
This report discusses a survey of crime on 25 Quebec Indian reserves reported during the 1978-1983 period and suggests crime prevention programs based on the reserves' unique crime patterns and sociological features.
Abstract
This analysis of over 17,000 Amerindian Police Force occurrence reports considers service calls and criminal incidents, suspects' and victims' demographic characteristics, the criminal justice system's response, types of offenses by reserve, and local community resources. It views Native Indian criminality as related to social disorganization caused by colonialization and underdevelopment. The analysis links community characteristics to the analysis of crime using a typology of band types established by Dr. Linda Gerber. The survey found significantly higher rates of violent and other crimes on municipal and pluralistic reserves. Juveniles of both sexes were mainly involved in property crime and public disorder offenses. Adults committed few property offenses, but many disorder offenses and a higher than Canadian average rate of violent offenses. Approximately 70 of the offenders were under age 30. Victims of violence tended to be family members at least 41 percent of the time, and most were women. Few offenses resulted in charges. Suggested prevention strategies focus on high levels of family violence, alcohol-related offenses, juvenile offenses, social and crisis intervention services, and social development programs. Also discussed are target-hardening measures and stronger sentencing. Tables and 22 references.