NCJ Number
43530
Date Published
1976
Length
54 pages
Annotation
A BURGLARY PREVENTION PROGRAM UNDERTAKEN BY THE BELLEVUE, WASH., POLICE DEPARTMENT IS EVALUATED IN TERMS OF THE NATURE OF BURGLARIES REPORTED, CITIZEN PARTICIPATION IN THE PROGRAM, AND IMPACT OF THE PROGRAM ON BURGLARY RATES.
Abstract
THE EVALUATION FOCUSES ON THE PROGRAM'S SECOND YEAR, DURING WHICH PUBLIC EDUCATION AND DOOR-TO-DOOR CAMPAIGNS WERE CONDUCTED. BURGLARY PREVENTION INFORMATION WAS PRESENTED THROUGH THE MEDIA, IN CIVIC MEETINGS, AND IN A MONTHLY NEWSLETTER CALLED 'CRIME ALERT.' POLICE OFFICERS, COLLEGE STUDENTS, AND CITIZEN VOLUNTEERS VISITED RESIDENTS AND ENCOURAGED THEM TO ATTEND NEIGHBORHOOD MEETINGS TO LEARN ABOUT BLOCK-WATCH ACTIVITIES, PROPERTY MARKING, AND HOME SECURITY INSPECTIONS. A PRETEST/POSTTEST DESIGN WAS USED TO EVALUATE THE IMPACT OF THE PREVENTION PROGRAM ON CITYWIDE BURGLARY RATES. TO ASSESS THE COMPONENTS OF THE BURGLARY PREVENTION PROGRAM, COMPARISONS WERE DRAWN BETWEEN PARTICIPATING AND NONPARTICIPATING NEIGHBORHOODS. BELLEVUE EXPERIENCED A SIGNIFICANT REDUCTION IN THE CITYWIDE RATE AND FREQUENCY OF REPORTED RESIDENTIAL BURGLARY FOLLOWING IMPLEMENTATION OF THE PREVENTION PROGRAM. REDUCTIONS WERE GREATEST IN NEIGHBORHOODS IN WHICH CITIZEN PARTICIPATION IN THE PROGRAM WAS MOST EXTENSIVE. FACTORS OTHER THAN THE PROGRAM THAT MAY HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO THE REDUCTIONS ARE NOTED. SUPPORTING DATA ARE INCLUDED.