NCJ Number
130419
Date Published
1991
Length
31 pages
Annotation
This review of recent theory and research on burglary focuses on its definition, incidence, distribution, offenders, victim and criminal justice responses, and efforts at prevention.
Abstract
Results show that burglary is one of the most prevalent street crimes in the United States as well as in other countries, with a total increase in the Unied States from 508.6 per 100,000 population to a 1984 rate of 1,263.7 per 100,000 population. Burglary rates are disproportionately low in the Northeast and high in the West and in cities, particularly those with large minority populations, high population mobility, and high income inequality. Burglary also occurs disproportionately in neighborhoods inhabited mainly by the young, minorities, and renters. Offenders are disproportionately males, juveniles, and others who are unskilled offenders in or near their home neighborhoods. Most victims sustain modest economic losses, but some experience major psychological effects. General prevention programs have met with uncertain success, and experience with neighborhood watch and target-hardening strategies points to the importance of better focused situational crime-prevention strategies. 173 references. (Author abstract modified)