NCJ Number
226353
Date Published
April 2006
Length
9 pages
Annotation
Focusing on nine Virginia cities and counties (the City of Richmond, two neighboring counties, and six other localities), this study examined the impact of number of risk factors for violent crime on the comparative level of violent offending.
Abstract
The comparison of localities suggests that Richmond’s high violent crime rate (locality with the highest rate of murder, robbery, aggravated assault, and forcible rape and other forcible sex offenses in 2005) is linked to the high number of risk factors in the population. Data on economic, education, family-status, and health factors for the years 1999 to 2004 provide a compelling argument that Richmond’s crime rate is linked to the social conditions experienced by the City of Richmond’s population. Richmond’s scores on the risk factors measured show higher risk for violent offending than the neighboring counties and the average of the comparison localities. The health, safety, education, and family problems noted in this study correlate with economic distress; and Black families in Richmond are apparently at greater risk for experiencing these factors than White families in Richmond or families of either race in the other localities. Black children in Richmond are at a particularly high risk for the health, safety, education, and family problems associated with economic distress. These factors are occurring together, compounding their effects during the same time period. Research has clearly demonstrated that risk factors have a cumulative effect. Although specific program recommendations are beyond the scope of this study, this report lists and describes sources for programs that target many of the issues identified in this study. 12 figures, 1 table, and 48 references