NCJ Number
53928
Date Published
1977
Length
14 pages
Annotation
THE PREMISE SURVEY CONDUCTED BY THE EDEN PRAIRIE, MINN., POLICE DEPARTMENT AND ITS EVALUATION PROVIDE EXAMPLES TO OTHER POLICE AGENCIES CONSIDERING SUCH A PROJECT. EVALUATION DESIGN AND RESULTS ARE DESCRIBED.
Abstract
THE EDEN PRAIRIE PREMISE SURVEY DIFFERED FROM MANY OTHER INSPECTIONS OF HOMES AND BUSINESSES IN THAT ITS RECOMMENDATIONS WERE 'PRIORITIZED.' EACH RECOMMENDATION WAS LISTED IN THE ORDER OF A BURGLAR'S MOST LIKELY POINT OF ENTRY INTO THE PARTICULAR STRUCTURE. THE NUMBER AND ORDER OF RECOMMENDATIONS DIFFERED FROM STRUCTURE TO STRUCTURE BECAUSE OF DIFFERENCES IN EXISTING SECURITY, ARCHITECTURE, AND SURROUNDINGS. THE COMPLIANCE SURVEY WAS BASED ON THE TOTAL NUMBER OF RECOMMENDATIONS MADE TO 50 RESPONDENTS. THE QUESTIONNAIRE WAS DELIVERED BY HAND TO THE HOUSEHOLDS AND BUSINESS SELECTED FOR THE RANDOM SAMPLE. THE RESPONSES WERE COMPLETELY ANONYMOUS AND WERE RETURNED IN A STAMPED ENVELOPE ADDRESSED TO THE POLICE DEPARTMENT. ALTHOUGH ONLY 49 PERCENT OF THE QUESTIONNAIRES WERE RETURNED, THE ANONYMITY ALLOWED FOR FRANK AND EXTENSIVE ANSWERS. THE SURVEY FOUND THAT 62 PERCENT OF HOUSEHOLDS AND BUSINESSES MADE SOME KIND OF SECURITY CHANGE AS A RESULT OF THE PREMISE SURVEY; 41.9 PERCENT MADE TWO CHANGES AND 29 PERCENT MADE THREE OR MORE. THE RESPONSES ARE FURTHER ANALYZED TO SHOW TYPES OF CHANGES MOST OFTEN MADE, RECOMMENDATIONS MOST OFTEN IGNORED, AND COSTS OF CHANGES WHICH WERE MADE. REASONS FOR NOT COMPLYING WERE ALSO SURVEYED. ('NO TIME' WAS THE REASON MOST OFTEN CITED, 'TOO EXPENSIVE' WAS MENTIONED LEAST.) THE METHODOLOGY OF THE EDEN PRAIRIE SURVEY IS DESCRIBED AND RECOMMENDED FOR USE BY OTHER POLICE DEPARTMENTS. (GLR)