CREATE 2 - CLEVELANDERS' RESPONSE TO ANTI-THEFT EFFORTS - POST-CAMPAIGN STUDY - FINAL REPORT

• NCJ Number: 11161
• Author(s): ANON
• Date Published: 1971
• Length: 76 pages
• Sponsoring Agency: Administration of Justice Committee
• Corporate Author: Nationwide Research Ctr
• Publication Format: Document
• Publication Type: Program/Project Evaluation
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

INVESTIGATION OF IMPACT OF ANTI-AUTO THEFT CAMPAIGN ON ATTITUDES, KNOWLEDGE, AND REPORTED BEHAVIOR PATTERNS OF RESIDENTS CONCERNING AUTO THEFT.

Abstract

IN COMPARISON WITH OTHER CRIMES, AUTO THEFT HAS DECLINED SLIGHTLY IN PROMINENCE IN THE MINDS OF CLEVELANDERS THIS APPEARS TO BE DUE MOSTLY TO INCREASED CONCERN WITH SUCH OTHER PROBLEMS AS DRUG ABUSE. NEVERTHELESS, THEY DO POSSESS DEFINITE IDEAS REGARDING THE NATURE OF THE AUTO THEFT PROBLEM. THE PUBLIC REALIZES THE EXTENT TO WHICH JUVENILES ARE RESPONSIBLE, BUT INCREASINGLY FEELS THAT PROFESSIONALS ARE ALSO INVOLVED. FEW BELIEVE THAT CARS ARE RETURNED TO THEIR OWNERS IN ORIGINAL CONDITION. THREE QUARTERS OF THE SAMPLE NOW REPORT THAT THEY ALWAYS LOCK THEIR CARS. THIS INCREASE (FROM ABOUT 55 PERCENT ONE YEAR AGO) IS A SIGNIFICANT DEMONSTRATION OF THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE CAMPAIGN. DISSATISFACTION WITH THE LAW ENFORCEMENT SYSTEM HAS INCREASED SLIGHTLY, WITH THE COURTS AGAIN BEARING THE BRUNT OF THE CRITICISM. THE MOST COMMON COMPLAINT IS THAT THE COURTS ARE TOO LENIENT WITH AUTO THIEVES. A LARGE NUMBER OF THE RESPONDENTS INDICATED AN AWARENESS OF PUBLIC INFORMATION BROADCASTS. FINALLY, THE VAST MAJORITY OF RESPONDENTS NOW RECOGNIZE THAT LOCKING THE CAR IS AN EFFECTIVE DETERRENT TO AUTO THIEVES.