NCJ Number
81623
Date Published
1982
Length
141 pages
Annotation
This volume explores responses by governments and media to the rise of crime in 10 large American cities between 1948 and 1978.
Abstract
An analysis of political and policy agendas prevailing during mayoral incumbencies demonstrates cities' increasing concern with crime; by the latter years of the study period, crime was a dominant political issue in most jurisdictions. The study examines aspects of urban politics (electoral agendas, attributes of mayors, and urban power configurations) that may affect or be affected by the urban crime problem. The political environment of individual cities has been affected by crime (for instance, in the types of individuals who take office) and in turn affects how much attention cities devote to particular types of crime and crime-related issues. Using content analysis of newspaper front pages in the 10 cities, the text examines the prominence and growth of crime coverage. The level of coverage varied only slightly across cities, accounting for an average of 13 to 20 percent of all front-page news over the 31-year period. A majority of crime news stories focused on violent crime committed for private motives. Coverage of public and political crimes increased during the study period; many papers devoted a surprising amount of space to nonlocal crime news. Unlike many other policy issues that occupy public attention for limited periods of time, crime has maintained an increasingly important position on urban agendas. Tables, graphs, footnotes, and references accompany each chapter. A list of Project publications is appended.