NCJ Number
75612
Date Published
1978
Length
479 pages
Annotation
The evaluation report assesses the impact of the Cabrini-Green High Impact Program (HIP) aimed at improving the quality of life in one major public housing development in Chicago.
Abstract
The program is comprised of five strategies designed to reduce crime and vandalism; an architectural security program, a courtyard security fencing program, a prevention and treatment program, a management outpost program, and administrative assistance and development. The evaluation methodology involved three general steps: identifying specific program objectives, establishing evaluation measures, and assessing changes in the measures from some baseline period to a time after the program had begun. The results are based on official crime reports, victimization data, vandalism data, occupancy data, fire data, and attitude and perception survey data. The report concludes that reductions in verified crime and improvements in residential desirability have occurred in the 2-year study period. The Architectural Security Program (ASP) probably has made the greatest single contribution to achieving the desired objectives; however, not all elements of that program (e.g., electronic surveillance equipment in stairwells) functioned as designed. While the extent of the software programs' effects on the achievement of HIP objectives is difficult to determine, they do appear to enhance the hardware strategies. The report recommends that the ASP be continued for further study and that the Improved Resident Safety Aide Program and Community Safety Education Program be refined and modified before implementation at other sights. The ASP should be implemented in buildings with a demonstrated need, but it should employ simplified electronic equipment of higher quality. An overview of the Cabrini-Green programs and projects, a description of the attitude and perception survey, the questionnaires employed, and full data and results obtained are included in the study. Photographs and extensive tabular and graphic data are furnished.