Fear of Crime and the Likelihood of Victimization: A Bi- Ethnic Comparison

• NCJ Number: 149492
• Journal: Journal of Social Psychology Volume: 133 Issue: 5 Dated: (October 1993) Pages: 723-732
• Author(s): K D Parker; B J McMorris; E Smith; K S Murty
• Date Published: 1993
• Length: 10 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Research (Applied/Empirical)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This study examined fear of crime and the likelihood of victimization among a sample of 1,696 blacks and 539 Hispanics living in New York City.

Abstract

The respondents, all subway riders, were interviewed regarding their perceptions of crime on the subways after dark, attitudes toward the Guardian Angels and their methods, and the ability of the Guardian Angels to reduce crime and the fear of crime. Women, the elderly, and respondents who reported the greatest likelihood of future victimization were also the most fearful of crime. The findings also showed that Hispanics were more fearful than blacks of being robbed, threatened, or beaten up while riding the subway after dark. In general, the black respondents tended to travel in groups and to avoid the subway after certain hours. Fear of crime and gender were powerful predictors of the likelihood of victimization for the entire sample and for blacks. Only fear of crime affected victimization among Hispanics. 3 tables and 37 references