NCJ Number
121719
Journal
Journal of Crime and Justice Volume: 12 Issue: 2 Dated: (1989) Pages: 79-107
Date Published
1989
Length
29 pages
Annotation
This analysis integrates theoretical approaches to improve the assessment of social problems at the neighborhood level.
Abstract
Specifically, the study examines the relevant factors across adjacent neighborhood sets that are indicative of social and physical characteristics of people and places. It also determines whether crime can be explained through a hypothesized model which integrates the concepts of defensible space and social indicators. Additionally, the study examines whether there are fluctuations in the hypothetical model based on the type of neighborhood, the crime rates, or within spatially-bounded areas. The sample consists of three, matched pairs of neighborhoods similar in socioeconomic status, but different in crime rates. A total of 523 households were included in the study. The research questions are addressed in an exploratory factor analytic model to reveal the relevant dimensions in the social, physical, and demographic characteristics for each high-crime and low-crime neighborhood. The analysis suggests that attendance at neighborhood meetings, similarity of neighbors, and physical structure characteristics are moderate explainers of property crime rates in the high-crime areas. Findings also indicate that the physical concentration of the population is not a direct crime influence. Findings can be valuable to both local and State agencies' need assessments. 2 tables, 3 figures, 37 references.