NCJ Number
76618
Journal
Canadian Police College Journal Volume: 4 Issue: 4 Dated: (1980) Pages: 243-276
Date Published
1980
Length
34 pages
Annotation
The results of a 1979 survey of public attitudes towards crime and the police in Regina, Saskatchewan (Canada) are presented.
Abstract
The survey was the first in a set of two and was intended to record public attitudes prior to the implementation of a system of zone policing. The second survey will follow system implementation. Completed questionnaires were received from a random sample of 438 residents, for a response rate of 80 percent. Persons of Indian ancestry were underrepresented, and better educated respondents and those living with their families or in single family dwellings were overrepresented. In the previous 6 months, 16.9 percent had been personally victimized by crime. Most of the offenses were property crimes, and a large number of these appeared to be relatively minor offenses. Among the victims, 54.1 percent had been victimized in their residences or on their property, and 36.5 percent had been victimized in public places. Reports to the police were filed by 66.7 percent. The most common cause for nonreporting was the feeling that the offense was too minor to report. Over 75 percent did not know what had happened to offenders since their crimes, and 84.6 percent had not been informed of police progress. About one-third worried a lot about becoming a victim, but geographic zones with the greatest fear of crime. Nearly 75 percent felt that crime in the city was more serious than portrayed in the media, and about 90 percent felt that the police did not receive adequate training on how to deal with the public. Most thought that the police had adequate authority at present and were satisfied with police law enforcement activities. About 75 percent felt that the police were as concerned with crimes against ordinary citizens as with crimes against businesses. Other results, data tables, a French translation, and an 11-item reference list are included.