NCJ Number
13642
Journal
MUNICIPAL PERFORMANCE REPORT Volume: 1 Issue: 1 Dated: (MAY-JUNE 1973) Pages: COMPLETE ISSUE
Date Published
1973
Length
40 pages
Annotation
A DETERMINATION AND DISCUSSION OF THE CRIME CAUSE FACTORS IN THE THIRTY LARGEST METROPOLITAN AREAS IN THE UNITED STATES, AND SUGGESTIONS TO FACILITATE THE REDUCTION OF CRIME.
Abstract
THIS STUDY FINDS THAT 1971 REPORTED ROBBERY RATES ARE SIGNIFICANTLY ASSOCIATED WITH SEVEN FACTORS: POLICE PER CAPITA, INCOME INEQUALITY, TWO MEASURES OF THE PERCENTAGE OF HIGH INCOME FAMILIES, NET EMIGRATION OF WHITES IN THE 1960S, RACIAL COMPOSITION, AND DENSITY. ALSO, THE RESEARCHERS CONCLUDED THAT REPORTED NON-VIOLENT PROPERTY CRIME RATES WERE SIGNIFICANTLY CORRELATED ONLY WITH FOUR INCOME-RELATED FACTORS: INCOME INEQUALITY, TWO MEASURES OF THE PERCENTAGE OF HIGH INCOME FAMILIES, AND MEAN FAMILY INCOME. WE TESTED TEN OTHER FACTORS AND FOUND THEM NOT SIGNIFICANT. BASED ON THESE FINDINGS OF THE IMPORTANCE OF INCOME INEQUALITY AND (FOR ROBBERY) RACIAL COMPOSITION, THEY CALCULATED ADJUSTED CRIME RATES HOLDING THESE FACTORS CONSTANT, AND RE-COMPUTED THE CRIME RATES FOR THE 30 SMSA'S (STANDARD METROPOLITAN STATISTICAL AREAS). QUESTIONNAIRE RESULTS FROM THE 30 SMSA'S INDICATE THAT THE COURTS ARE A MAJOR OBSTACLE TO EFFECTIVE CRIME CONTROL. THE SUBSCRIPTION FORM FOR COMP (COUNCIL ON MUNICIPAL PERFORMANCE) IS INCLUDED. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED)