NCJ Number
11446
Date Published
1973
Length
41 pages
Annotation
RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT FOR PROPOSED TESTING, IN ALEXANDRIA, VA., OF MINIMUM PHYSICAL SECURITY STANDARDS, LEADING TO CREATION OF REALISTIC, ENFORCEABLE CITY CODES.
Abstract
THE ALEXANDRIA EXPERIMENTAL PROJECT INVESTIGATES THE CONCEPT OF SECURITY 'HARDENING' - THE IDEA THAT BURGLARY CAN BE PREVENTED IF THE POTENTIAL TARGET PREMISE CAN BE SECURED SO AS TO MAKE ILLEGAL ENTRY DIFFICULT AND TIME CONSUMING. THE PROJECT INVOLVES THE 'HARDENING' OF 250 COMMERCIAL AND RESIDENTIAL PREMISES TO DETERMINE WHETHER IMPROVED SECURITY PROCEDURES WILL EFFECTIVELY REDUCE THE INCIDENCE OF BURGLARY, REDUCE LOSSES DUE TO BURGLARY, AND INCREASE POLICE CLEARANCE RATES FOR BURGLARIES. THIS REPORT DISCUSSES PROBLEMS AND ACHIEVEMENTS OF THE PROJECT'S DEVELOPMENTAL PHASE, INCLUDING CREATION OF A SYSTEM FOR RATING AND CLASSIFYING SECURITY HARDWARE AND ASSOCIATED CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS, CREATION OF A FEDERAL AND LOCAL MINIMUM BUILDING SECURITY GUIDE, DEVELOPMENT OF A CITIZEN EDUCATION PROGRAM, ASSEMBLING OF A BURGLARY DATA BASE, AND DEVELOPMENT OF STANDARDIZED FORMS FOR BURGLARY DATA COLLECTION. SECURITY 'HARDENING' OF 250 PREMISES HAS BEEN ACCOMPLISHED, AND THE REPORT RECOMMENDS THAT THE PROJECT MOVE INTO AN EXPERIMENTAL TEST PERIOD OF SUFFICIENT LENGTH TO DERIVE VALID STATISTICAL RESULTS.