NCJ Number
52136
Date Published
1977
Length
179 pages
Annotation
RESULTS ARE PROVIDED FOR THE FIRST WAVE OF A PANEL SURVEY FOR THE CABRINI-GREEN HIGH IMPACT PROGRAM, AN EFFORT TO IMPROVE THE SECURITY AND SAFETY OF RESIDENTS OF A HOUSING PROJECT LOCATED IN CHICAGO, ILL.
Abstract
THIS PROGRAM IN THE CABRINI-GREEN HOUSING COMPLEX INVOLVED ARCHITECTURAL IMPROVEMENTS, THE ESTABLISHMENT OF MANAGEMENT SERVICE OUTPOSTS IN THE BUILDINGS, AND A CRIME PREVENTION AND TREATMENT PROGRAM CONSISTING OF SERVICES TO YOUTHS IN TROUBLE, SHELTER FACILITIES FOR YOUTHS IN TROUBLE, SHELTER FACILITIES FOR YOUTHS WHO SHOULD BE REMOVED FROM A DETERIORATING FAMILY SITUATION, AND EDUCATION FOR RESIDENTS IN PERSONAL SAFETY MATTERS. AS PART OF A FIRST-YEAR EVALUATION OF THESE EFFORTS, 900 RESIDENTS OF THE TARGET AREA AND A CONTROL PROJECT WERE INTERVIEWED AT LENGTH REGARDING VICTIMIZATION, FEAR OF CRIME, EMPLOYMENT, QUALITY OF LIFE, AND QUALITY OF LIVING CONDITIONS. THE ADULT AND YOUTH SAMPLES SHOWED AN AVERAGE AGE OF 38 TO 40 YEARS AND APPROXIMATELY 15 YEARS, RESPECTIVELY. ADULTS IN BOTH THE CABRINI-GREEN AND CONTROL SAMPLES WERE LARGELY UNEMPLOYED, WHILE ALMOST HALF THE YOUTH SAMPLE IN BOTH PROJECTS WERE EMPLOYED IN A PART-TIME POSITION. WITH RESPECT TO PERSONAL EXPERIENCES, ATTITUDES, AND PERCEPTIONS OF CRIME, NEARLY 75 PERCENT OF THE RESIDENTS IN BOTH THE SURROUNDING NEIGHBORHOOD AND THE CABRINI-GREEN NONEXPERIMENTAL BUILDINGS (I.E., BUILDING NOT INCLUDED IN THE SECURITY MODIFICATION EFFORT) AND 65 PERCENT OF THE RESIDENTS IN THE PROGRAM BUILDINGS AGREED THAT CRIME IS THE MOST SERIOUS PROBLEM IN THE AREA. THE INCIDENCE OF CRIME WAS APPROXIMATELY THE SAME FOR THE EXPERIMENTAL, NONEXPERIMENTAL, AND SURROUNDING NEIGHBORHOOD RESIDENTS; WHILE A SIGNIFICANTLY LARGER PROPORTION OF THE CONTROL RESIDENTS REPORTED SOME FORM OF VICTIMIZATION, MOSTLY BREAKING AND ENTERING OR THEFT. TABULAR DATA ARE PROVIDED, ALONG WITH THE SURVEY QUESTIONNAIRE. (KBL)