NCJ Number
204253
Date Published
February 1999
Length
30 pages
Annotation
Survey responses of residents living in high-crime apartment complexes in Salt Lake City as well as police officer responses to similar questions are discussed with a view toward recommending community-oriented policing practices in these apartment complexes.
Abstract
There were 134 respondents for a July 1998 survey of residents of 4 apartment complexes selected because of the high number of resident calls for police service during 1997. The survey solicited responses to the experiences and perceptions of the respondents regarding crime; their sense of safety; and their perceptions of the police, their apartment complex management, and their own power to impact the crime rate in their communities. Six Salt Lake City police officers were asked questions similar to those posed to the apartment complex residents. They were asked to base their answers on experiences during the past year. Distinctions in survey responses based on the particular apartment complex in which the respondents lived were insignificant. The fact that there were no significant differences among apartment complexes on perceptions of the police indicate the police are responding uniformly to crime and maintaining good community relationships across all of the complexes. One of the apartment complexes did have a significantly more favorable view of the complex management's response to crime. This complex can be a model for initial efforts at improving levels of cooperation between residents and managers or owners. Property crimes were mentioned most often by residents, and alcohol and drug abuse were the least frequently observed crime types, although they were discussed nearly as often by respondents as other crimes. Juveniles were frequently identified as the perpetrators of most crime; gangs were not identified as often. Other complex residents were often identified as the perpetrators of most within-complex crimes. The overall findings suggest that community-policing strategies should focus on nongang juveniles, on eradicating drug and alcohol offenses, and on teaching residents how to prevent property crimes. The police officers surveyed had a relatively positive view of the complex residents; this attitude will likely serve them well in implementing a cooperative response with residents in countering crime in the complexes. 11 tables and appended survey questionnaires