NCJ Number
62071
Date Published
1978
Length
160 pages
Annotation
THEFT AND THEFT-RELATED PROPERTY DAMAGE AT U.S. NAVAL BACHELOR ENLISTED QUARTERS (BEQS) WERE ANALYZED TO HELP THE NAVY REDUCE THE OPERATIONAL AND MAINTENANCE COSTS OF BEQS THROUGH ENVIRONMENTAL DESIGN.
Abstract
THIS VOLUME IS THE FOURTH REPORT FROM A STUDY OF 103 STATESIDE NAVAL BASES, AIMED AT REDUCING VANDALISM AT BEQ. SPECIFIC GOALS WERE TO DETERMINE WHAT TYPES AND AMOUNTS OF PROPERTY DAMAGE REPORTED IN THE VANDALISM STUDY WERE RELATED TO THEFT, TO DETERMINE THE AMOUNT AND NATURE OF LOSSES FROM THEFT, AND TO IDENTIFY AND DEVELOP EVALUATION METHODS FOR DESIGN CHANGES AIMED AT REDUCING THEFT. RESULTS SHOW THAT ABOUT 38,000 THEFTS OCCUR AT THESE BASES ANNUALLY AND COST ABOUT $72 PER INCIDENT. ABOUT FIVE-SIXTHS OF THE THEFTS, WHICH ACCOUNTED FOR LESS THAN HALF OF THE PROPERTY STOLEN, WERE UNREPORTED. OVER 80 PERCENT OF THE COST OF THEFT INVOLVED THE VALUE OF THE PROPERTY STOLEN; THE REMAINDER INCLUDED INVESTIGATION COSTS, THEFT-RELATED PROPERTY DAMAGE, AND PROCESSING OF VICTIMS' CLAIMS FOR REIMBURSEMENT. OF THE REPORTED THEFTS, 77 PERCENT OCCURRED IN SLEEPING ROOMS, 7 PERCENT IN LAUNDRY ROOMS, AND 3 PERCENT IN VENDING AREAS. THEFT-RELATED PROPERTY DAMAGE WAS MINIMAL; MOST STOLEN PROPERTY WAS SAILORS' PERSONAL PROPERTY. AT LEAST ONE THIRD OF THE ANNUAL THEFT LOSS COULD BE PREVENTED BY STRENGTHENING SLEEPING ROOM DOORS AND DOOR LOCKS, STRENGTHENING VENDING MACHINES AND LOCKERS, AND REDESIGNING LAUNDRY FACILITIES. TESTING IMPROVED SLEEPING ROOM DOORS SHOULD BE THE FIRST PRIORITY OF AN ANTIVANDALISM DEMONSTRATION PROJECT. STUDY RESULTS AND METHODS ARE PRESENTED IN TABULAR FORM; FOOTNOTES ARE INCLUDED. (CFW)