NCJ Number
81831
Date Published
Unknown
Length
19 pages
Annotation
This study evaluated Detroit's crime program, which was based on the Neighborhood Watch concept, to determine its effectiveness in reducing burglary, larceny, auto theft, and citizens' fear of crime.
Abstract
A target area consisting of 155 city blocks and a similar control area in the city were compared before and after the program. The police department implemented the crime prevention program by conducting educational programs and security surveys in the target area, making followup contacts with crime victims to advise them on preventing future crimes and to demonstrate genuine concern, and organizing community groups. The Neighborhood Watch program included crime reporting, home security, Operation Identification, and self-protection. The program succeeded in organizing target areas of the 151 blocks in the Neighborhood Watch Program. The comparison of crime statistics before and after the program showed that crime was reduced substantially in the target area between 1977 and 1979. Total crime was down by 58 percent, and burglary declined by 58 percent. Citizen surveys showed that fear of crime was also substantially reduced and that participants in the Neighborhood Watch program became more active in home security and Operation Identification and had more positive interaction with their neighbors and the police. Maintaining the program is now a high priority for the Detroit Police Department. The data show that the concept of crime prevention can serve as a catalyst to promote citizen involvement in their communities and especially with their neighbors. The effort also demonstrated the viability of the systems approach to identifying and solving crime problems. Police administrators should make crime prevention a high priority goal. Tables and the survey instrument are provided.