Citizen Crime Prevention: Problems and Prospectives in Reducing Crime

• NCJ Number: 108419
• Journal: Journal of Security Administration Volume: 10 Issue: 1 Dated: (July 1987) Pages: 38-51
• Author(s): E J Latessa; L F Travis
• Date Published: 1987
• Length: 14 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Program/Project Description
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: An earlier version of this article was presented at the annual meeting of the Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences, Orlando, Fla., March 1986.

Annotation

This article describes the activities of the College Hill (a Cincinnati, Ohio, neighborhood) crime prevention program and the methodology and results of the program evaluation.

Abstract

The program began in late 1983 and operated through 1985 with a core staff of volunteer community leaders. The program consisted of a block watch and several target-hardening practices, including residential security surveys, property identification, and lighting for a high-crime area. A public education and awareness program was also conducted. Administrative problems included a shortage of professional staff, delays due to municipal regulations and bureaucracy, and volunteer staff burnout. The outcome evaluation used multiple measures to assess project effectiveness. Pretest and posttest crime data were obtained, and random telephone interviews were conducted with residents and businesses. College Hill generally experienced a decrease in crime during the project, with the exception of aggravated assault. The most significant finding was a drop in auto theft in College Hill while the rest of the city had an increase in this offense. There was little difference in the number of crime victims over the course of the project. Study implications are drawn. 4 tables and 16 references.