NCJ Number
105872
Journal
Society Volume: 22 Issue: 3 Dated: (March/April 1986) Pages: 56-64
Date Published
1986
Length
9 pages
Annotation
The impact of the media campaign 'Take a Bite Out of Crime' was investigated in a national probability sample of 1,200 adults and a 3-city panel survey of 426 adults.
Abstract
The campaign was aimed at promoting citizen involvement in crime prevention and increasing burglary self-protection. Of the sample, 51.5 percent were familiar with the campaign's public service announcements (PSA's). Television was the predominant medium of exposure (78 percent), posters and billboards were second (14 percent). The campaign appeared especially effective in reaching young males, the residentially mobile, and those in lower working class neighborhoods. Those familiar with ads reported paying a great deal (25 percent) or some (51 percent) attention to the ads. Attitudes to the campaign were largely favorable. More than half the respondents said the PSA's made them feel more responsible about preventing crime, and nearly a fourth reported preventive action as a result of seeing the ads. Exposure also resulted in more positive attitudes toward the effectiveness of community crime prevention and greater feelings of competence in protecting oneself from crime. 5 references.