Evaluation of the Hartford Experiment - A Rigorous, Multi-method Effort To Learn Something

• NCJ Number: 75458
• Author(s): F J Fowler
• Date Published: 1978
• Length: 17 pages
• Grant Number(s): 73-NI-99-0044-G; 75-NI-99-0026
• Sponsoring Agency: US Dept of Justice
• Sale Source: Eric Document Reproduction Service
• Publication Type: Program/Project Evaluation
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: Prepared for Second National Workshop on Criminal Justice Evaluation, November 20-21, 1978.

Annotation

This paper describes the problems faced and lessons learned in the evaluation of the Hartford Project, a community crime reduction program designed to combat residential burglary, street robberies, and fear of crime.

Abstract

The Hartford Project used an integrated approach which used police, community organizations, and physical design changes to increase the willingness and ability of residents to regain control over their neighborhood. The program was planned and implemented in one area of about 5,000 people and had been in place less than a year when its impact was evaluated. The research design aimed to measure each important variable in at least two different ways using different methods, while providing opportunities for qualitative feedback. Victimization rates and fear were measured by a sample survey of residents and then compared with police records and victimization surveys which had been conducted over a 5 year period. Measuring the use of spaces was one of the most complex parts of the evaluation and was accomplished through counts of vehicular traffic, counts of pedestrian traffic, surveys of residents, and walking trips by the urban design team. Data on police were collected from official records, interviews, monitoring of police operations, questionnaires completed by police officers, and resident surveys. The activities of community groups were assessed through interviews, observing meetings, and the resident survey. The evaluation tried to determine if crime and fear of crime had decreased and if the program was responsible for any improvement. Analysis of research findings coupled with city - wide data on crime supported the contention that the project had contributed to crime reduction. Furthermore, residents reported that they used parks and walks more and had increased contacts with neighbors. The second goal of the evaluation was to produce generalized knowledge to help others design crime prevention programs, but it was only able to conclude that street changes to restrict access by outsiders were necessary to the program's success. Other limitations of the evaluation are identified, such as demographic changes. The importance of good methodology in evaluation research is emphasized.