NCJ Number
158195
Journal
British Journal of Criminology Volume: 35 Issue: 4 Dated: (Autumn 1995) Pages: 563-583
Date Published
1995
Length
21 pages
Annotation
This article used the results of an ethnographic study in a London public housing project to describe relationships between crime, informal social control, and community crime prevention.
Abstract
The results showed that, while the housing project had a higher than average crime rate, the presence of informal social controls led residents to perceive the situation as being contained. They accepted that crime was a fact of life in their neighborhood, but the problem was not severe enough to intrude in any significant degree on their daily activities. One of the highest crime victimization rates in the project pertained to motor vehicle-related crimes, which does not have the same personal effect as other types of personal crimes. The impact of crime in the project was softened by residents' use of support networks and the lack of a significantly juvenile presence. 56 references