NCJ Number
226619
Journal
Canadian Journal of Criminology and Criminal Justice Volume: 51 Issue: 1 Dated: January 2009 Pages: 1-30
Date Published
January 2009
Length
30 pages
Annotation
This study obtained and analyzed qualitative, quantitative, and spatial data on levels of fear of victimization, patterns of victimization, and experience with neighborhood disorder in a high-crime, inner-city neighborhood in Winnipeg, Manitoba (Canada).
Abstract
The findings indicate that spatial and qualitative measures of fear in this neighborhood support the link between disorder and fear of crime even in high-crime communities. In addition to crime, the neighborhood (“Spence”) is also characterized by a significant amount of physical and social disorder. Spence is a well-established site of street prostitution, and there is overt trade in illicit substances. The physical signs of disorder include graffiti, vacant lots, run-down buildings, and litter. Despite high levels of criminal victimization and worry in Spence, the spatial data suggest that respondents based their place-based fear on social forms of disorder. These were areas of the neighborhood where there were aggressive panhandlers, street drug dealing, drunks, people having public sex, people sleeping at bus stops, and visible signs of gang activity. The findings suggest that the observable features of a community that symbolize deviant and unruly behavior engender the most fear, although violent and property crime was prevalent throughout the community. These findings imply that disorder is an important concept. Moreover, because disorder is more easily identified by community residents, it is more amenable to community crime-prevention initiatives. This research was part of an evaluation conducted in partnership with the Spence Neighborhood Association, which recently implemented a comprehensive community crime-prevent project, whose goal was to reduce specific criminal offenses and the fear of crime. Two annual neighborhood surveys were administered as part of the evaluation. Approximately 400 adults agreed to be interviewed each year. The current study focused on the 2007 survey. 6 tables, 2 figures, 5 notes, and 45 references