NCJ Number
135548
Date Published
1975
Length
303 pages
Annotation
This book examines how individuals and communities react when they are confronted directly or indirectly with violent crime.
Abstract
Crime generates suspicion and distrust among community residents. This state of mind is not conducive to the reintegration of ex-offenders. Crime and perceptions of crime influence people to avoid others and to take self-protective security measures; both actions erect barriers between community residents. This diminishment of social interaction and the reduction of natural surveillance of public areas weakens informal social control in a community. Persons who grow up in such a community are thus more likely to lack the values and behavioral constraints that foster law-abiding behavior. Also, as people react to crime by becoming fearful, suspicious, and passive, they are less likely to become involved in community crime prevention and in victim assistance. Crime can only be prevented when communities establish strong social bonds among residents and promote public activities that foster street surveillance and interaction in public places. This should also foster a greater willingness of community residents to report crime to the police. Appended data, a 180-item bibliography, and a subject index