NCJ Number
76804
Date Published
1981
Length
8 pages
Annotation
A survey of 104 participants in the Portland Police Bureau's residential security survey program (Oregon) found that 72 percent of the participants complied in all or in part with the recommendations made to improve the security of their homes. It also found an 88 percent reduction in the burglary rate among security survey participants.
Abstract
The Portland Police Bureau's Crime Prevention Division offers a security survey of residences to determine security risks. The police officer who makes the survey then outlines recommendations to improve security in the dwellings, such as installing better locking devices for doors and windows, strengthening door frames, improving lighting, and changing landscaping. The survey of 104 participants was made to evaluate compliance with these recommendations and to determine whether program participants experience fewer victimizations than before participation. A telephone survey of 104 participants who had received a security survey between July and December 1979 was made to check compliance. Comparisons were then made of burglary rates for 12 months before and 12 months after the security survey. Those who did not comply cited costs and lack of knowledge about where to obtain qualified workmen. While eight burglaries were reported in the 12 months preceding participation in the program, only one was reported in the 12 months following participation. The postprogram burglary rate was an average of 2.64 per 100 households less than the 1979 citywide rate. Five references are included, and the questionnaire is appended.