NCJ Number
16969
Journal
Society Volume: 12 Issue: 1 Dated: (NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 1974) Pages: 41-47
Date Published
1974
Length
7 pages
Annotation
A DISCUSSION LINKING CRIME OCCURRENCES AND URBAN DESIGN WHICH URGES A RETURN TO COMMUNITY CONTROL OF NEIGHBORHOODS AND URBAN REGIONS TO PREVENT AND CONTROL CRIME.
Abstract
TERRITORIAL CONFLICTS BETWEEN URBAN RESIDENTS AND CRIME GROUPS ARE DESCRIBED. THE CONCEPT OF SOVEREIGNTY IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD IS DEFINED. BRIEFLY, IT IS THE ABILITY OF THOSE INVOLVED TO MAINTAIN STRUCTURE AND ORGANIZATION AMONG THEMSELVES AS REGARDS POTENTIAL INTERNAL OR EXTERNAL DISRUPTIONS, INCLUDING THE PROCESS OF DEALING WITH DISRUPTIONS FORMALLY, THROUGH GOVERNMENT AGENCIES, OR INFORMALLY, THROUGH COMMUNITY LEADERS. BOTH CRIME AND ANTICRIME MEASURES ARE CLASHING POLITICAL CLAIMS OF SOVEREIGNTY OVER A GIVEN NEIGHBORHOOD OR REGION. IT IS STATED THAT NEIGHBORHOODS AND URBAN REGIONS REQUIRE LEGITIMATE SOVEREIGNTY FOR THEIR INHABITANTS AS A BASIC REQUIREMENT FOR CRIME CONTROL. THE AUTHOR CONTENDS THAT THIS SOVEREIGNTY MUST BE BUILT INTO THE COMMUNITY, WITH RIGHTS OF RIGHTS OF LOCAL SELF GOVERNMENT VESTED IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD. DECENTRALIZATION AND URBAN DESIGN WHICH FOSTERS COMMUNITY CONTROL OF SPACE ARE ALSO SEEN AS ESSENTIAL CRIME CONTROL AIDS. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED)