Patterns of Victimization, Fear of Crime, and Crime Precautions in Nonmetropolitan New Mexico

• NCJ Number: 106636
• Journal: Journal of Crime and Justice Volume: 10 Issue: 1 Dated: (1987) Pages: 71-100
• Author(s): S Menard; H C Covey
• Date Published: 1987
• Length: 30 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Survey
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

The effects of rural and urban residence on victimization rates, fear of victimization, and crime prevention practices were studies using data from a sample survey of eastern New Mexico residents.

Abstract

The mail survey of 400 households produced 134 usable responses, for a 35-percent return rate. Urban residents were more fearful than rural residents, particularly in the community. Urban residents were also more likely to have taken behavioral but not household precautions in the recent past. Urban location and, unexpectedly, education, were consistently related to victimization, even when the analysis controlled for other demographic variables. Urban residents and less educated residents were more likely to to be crime victims. The rural-urban categorization remains a meaningful one in understanding victimization rates, fear of crime, and precautions taken against crime in eastern New Mexico. Data tables and 38 references.