NCJ Number
105492
Date Published
1985
Length
108 pages
Annotation
This study tested the hypothesis that educational level, proximity to transportation routes, residence location, family size, crime prevention practices, and proximity to urban areas will significantly impact vandalism and property-crime victimization.
Abstract
This study emanated from the larger 1983 'Crime in Mississippi Survey.' The survey was mailed to a random sample of 3,314 registered drivers residing in the State in the spring of 1983. A total of 1,917 respondents completed and returned their questionnaires, representing a valid cross section of the State's residents. Current crime prevention perspectives that guided the research were target hardening theory, environmental design theory, information theory, police arrival-time theory, and displacement theory. Multiple regression models examined the relationships between the dependent variables and the independent variables. Additional analyses using chi square provided an analytical technique for categorical analyses. The multiple regression models provided meager support for the study hypotheses. The chi square analyses lent partial support to the effectiveness of specific crime prevention methods in reducing property-crime and vandalism victimization. The reducing was not significant, however. 44 tables, 2 figures, 33-item bibliography, and appended survey instrument.