NCJ Number
43710
Journal
LEAA NEWSLETTER Volume: 6 V 14 Dated: (OCTOBER 1977) Pages: 7-18
Date Published
1977
Length
12 pages
Annotation
RESEARCH FINDINGS ON CITIZEN AND COMMUNITY ACTION IN REGARD TO CRIME AND ITS PREVENTION ARE HIGHLIGHTED IN A REPORT ON PROJECTS SPONSORED BY THE NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF LAW ENFORCEMENT AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE.
Abstract
AREAS OF INQUIRY DISCUSSED ARE THE CITIZEN AND THE ENVIRONMENT, THE CITIZEN AS AN ACTIVE PARTICIPANT IN CRIME PREVENTION AND CONTROL, THE CITIZEN AS VICTIM AND WITNESS, AND CRIMES OF PARTICULAR CONCERN TO THE COMMUNITY. RESEARCH FINDINGS INDICATE THAT PHYSICAL DESIGN FEATURES OF BUILDINGS AFFECT THE RATE OF CRIME AS WELL AS RESIDENTS' PERCEPTIONS OF SECURITY. STUDIES OF CITIZEN ACTION IN CRIME PREVENTION AND CONTROL SUGGEST THAT A NEIGHBORHOOD APPROACH TO CITIZEN ACTION PROGRAMS IS LIKELY TO BE MORE EFFECTIVE THAN A CITYWIDE CAMPAIGN, THAT A COMBINATION OF STRATEGIES SUCH AS CITIZEN PATROLS AND PROPERTY IDENTIFICATION PROJECTS IS ADVISABLE, AND THAT PERSONAL CONTACT WITH CITIZENS IS THE BEST WAY TO STIMULATE THEIR INVOLVEMENT IN CRIME PREVENTION EFFORTS. A SURVEY IN MILWAUKEE, WIS., FOUND THAT 37 PERCENT OF THE CRIMES EXPERIENCED BY A GROUP OF VICTIMS WERE NEVER REPORTED. THE PROBLEMS MOST COMMONLY EXPERIENCED BY THE VICTIMS WERE PROPERTY LOSS AND MENTAL OR EMOTIONAL SUFFERING, PLUS LOST TIME AND INCOME FOR THOSE WHO CONSEQUENTLY BECAME INVOLVED IN THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE PROCESS. STUDIES OF CRIMES OF PARTICULAR CONCERN TO COMMUNITIES HAVE DEALT WITH RAPE AND OTHER FORMS OF SEXUAL ASSAULT, GAMBLING, RACKETS, AND CONSUMER FRAUD. PLANNED DIRECTIONS FOR INSTITUTE-SPONSORED RESEARCH ARE NOTED. INSTITUTE-SPONSORED PROJECTS ONGOING AT THE TIME OF THE REPORT ARE LISTED, AS ARE SELECTED PUBLICATIONS ON COMMUNITY CRIME PREVENTION AVAILABLE THROUGH THE GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE AND/OR THE NATIONAL CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFERENCE SERVICE.