NCJ Number
131469
Journal
Kriminalist Volume: 22 Issue: 5 Dated: (May 1990) Pages: 205-207
Date Published
1990
Length
3 pages
Annotation
The article surveys the circumstances of 516 burglaries in major East German cities.
Abstract
Although overall East German crime rates have been declining between 1980 and 1988, the number of property offenses including burglaries is rising. The vast majority of burglars studied entered apartments, factories, and food establishments, whereas offenses against museums, galleries, churches, and banks remained spectacular exceptions. East Germany confirms the experiences of most countries as to the time of the offense: 62 percent of the burglaries were committed during evening and night hours. An analysis of the offenders showed that 50 percent were recidivists; half of these had committed as many as 10 offenses. Shockingly, the majority of burglaries (66 percent) had been committed by young delinquents between the ages of 14 and 20. Most burglaries occurred after careful observation of the target, but only every tenth offender made use of a special tool such as a false key. The preferred theft items included money, clocks and watches, jewelry, high quality food and liquor, and electronic equipment. The article concludes that a more thorough study is necessary to compare the East German phenomenon to that of its neighbors, West Germany and Austria.