NCJ Number
137946
Journal
British Journal of Criminology Volume: 31 Issue: 4 Dated: (Autumn 1991) Pages: 411-414
Date Published
1991
Length
4 pages
Annotation
Research demonstrates that the probability of repeat victimization is greater than the probability of an independent burglary offense and that the time course of elevated risk has important implications for crime prevention.
Abstract
An analysis of burglaries in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada, in 1987 showed that the chance of a repeat burglary over the 1-year period was about four times the rate to be expected if the events were independent. The likelihood of a repeat burglary within a month was over 12 times the expected rate, but this declined to less than twice the expected rate when burglaries 6 months apart were considered. Half of second victimizations occurred within 7 days of the first. The authors conclude that the elevated risk of repeat burglary extends over only a short period and that special preventive measures, such as advising neighbors and victims and sharing alarms, are therefore appropriate. 4 references and 1 figure