Cross-Site Impact Evaluation Report for the Neighborhood Anti-Crime Self-Help Program

• NCJ Number: 112403
• Author(s): P J Lavrakas; S F Bennett; B S Fisher
• Date Published: 1988
• Length: 121 pages
• Grant Number(s): 85-IJ-CX-0004
• Sponsoring Agency: Ford Foundation; National Institute of Justice (NIJ); US Dept of Justice NIJ Pub
• Publication Format: Document
• Publication Type: Program/Project Description
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This 1983-1987 study evaluated the impact of the Neighborhood Anti-Crime Self-Help Project in 10 urban communities in the United States, using a quasi-experimental pretest-posttest with comparison groups design.

Abstract

Compared to respondents in control sites, those in project sites obtained greater information on crime prevention, were more likely to report crime to police, were more aware of neighborhood anticrime meetings, and were more likely to report other neighorhood anticrime activities. Overall, no significant differences between test and control sites were found in propensity to be active in local voluntary organizations, perceptions of community cohesion and informal social control, interest in crime prevention information, perceived responsibility or competency to prevent crime, fear of crime, or use of prevention measures in the home. Some differences among project sites were noted in these areas, and these differences related to differences in program variables. Differences related to program leadership, the planning process followed, project leadership and staff size, requests for technical assistance, and community involvement and crime opportunity reduction orientations. Research instruments are included.