NCJ Number
114559
Journal
Journal of Research in Crime and Delinquency Volume: 25 Issue: 4 Dated: (November 1988) Pages: 375-391
Date Published
1988
Length
17 pages
Annotation
This article attempts to provide an explanation of variations in official crime rates between four types of Canadian Indian communities.
Abstract
Official crime rates for 1978-1983 produced by Amerindian Police activities on 25 Indian band reserves in Quebec, Canada are examined in the light of Gerber's (1979) community typology. This typology is based on two dimensions of institutional completeness of the Indian reserves and the personal resources development of the band community members. The results suggest that communities that emphasize institutional completeness in adapting to the modern world may provide a setting whereby opportunities for contact are exacerbated, resulting in higher rates of interpersonal crime. By contrast, in communities where there is more emphasis on individuals' personal resources and therefore greater contact with the mainstream society, there are higher rates of property crime. However, those conditions that increase the potential for interpersonal disputes also appear to provide the capacity for communities to provide their servicing needs internally, thereby reducing reliance on external aids such as police. Conversely, the process of modernization appears to involve less reliance on community members for dealing with social service, emergency, and other crime prevention and peacekeeping needs. 7 notes and 13 references. (Author abstract modified)