NCJ Number
52887
Date Published
1978
Length
99 pages
Annotation
SECURITY-RELATED MATERIALS AND CONSTRUCTION SPECIFICATIONS AIMED AT COMBATING RESIDENTIAL BURGLARY IN MINNESOTA ARE PROPOSED, AND THE FEASIBILITY OF ADDING THE SPECIFICATIONS TO THE STATE'S BUILDING CODE IS EXPLORED.
Abstract
THE SPECIFICATIONS AND THE FEASIBILITY REPORT WERE PREPARED BY A TASK FORCE OF POLICE AND FIRE OFFICIALS, BUILDING OFFICIALS, ARCHITECTS, AND MANUFACTURERS AND SUPPLIERS OF CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS. THE REPORT OPENS WITH AN EXAMINATION OF MINNESOTA'S BURGLARY PROBLEM, A DISCUSSION OF MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT BURGLARY, AND A COMPARISON OF VARIOUS STRATEGIES (REACTIVE, PROACTIVE, BUILDING SECURITY CODES) FOR COMBATING BURGLARY. IT IS CONCLUDED THAT BUILDING SECURITY OFFERS THE BEST AVENUE FOR BURGLARY CONTROL. MINIMUM STANDARDS FOR DOOR, WINDOW, AND LOCK MATERIALS AND CONSTRUCTION, TOGETHER WITH PROVISIONS FOR PERFORMANCE TESTING, ARE INCLUDED IN PROPOSED SECURITY-RELATED AMENDMENTS TO THE STATE BUILDING CODE. THE BACKGROUND OF THE PROPOSAL AND THE FEASIBILITY OF IMPLEMENTING IT ARE DISCUSSED. CONSIDERATION IS GIVEN TO SEVERAL FACTORS: THE CONCERNS OF THE FIRE SERVICE AND OF THE CONSTRUCTION AND HOUSING INDUSTRIES; WHETHER THE PROPOSED STANDARDS ARE REALISTIC, NEEDED, AND CAPABLE OF BEING TESTED AND UNIFORMLY ENFORCED; WHETHER THE REQUIRED BUILDING MATERIALS ARE AVAILABLE; AND COSTS. THE ANALYSIS INCLUDES A BREAKDOWN OF IMPLEMENTATION COSTS FOR SINGLE-FAMILY AND APARTMENT DWELLINGS. IN ADDITION TO A COPY OF THE PROPOSED CODE AMENDMENTS, APPENDED MATERIALS INCLUDE TASK FORCE MEETING MINUTES AND A LABORATORY REPORT ON THE PERFORMANCE-TESTING PROVISIONS OF THE AMENDMENTS. (LKM)