CRIMINAL VICTIMIZATION FROM A POLICE PERSPECTIVE

• NCJ Number: 66596
• Journal: Journal of Police Science and Administration Volume: 8 Issue: 1 Dated: (MARCH 1980) Pages: 21-30
• Author(s): R L DUKES; G P ALPERT
• Date Published: 1980
• Length: 10 pages
• Grant Number(s): 77-DF-080015
• Sponsoring Agency: US Dept of Justice
• Corporate Author: International Assoc of Chiefs of Police
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Survey
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: AN EARLIER VERSION OF THIS PAPER WAS PRESENTED AT THE ANNUAL MEETING OF THE AMERICAN SOCIETY OF CRIMINOLOGY, PHILADELPHIA, 1979

Annotation

A CRIMINAL VICTIMIZATION SURVEY WAS CONDUCTED IN COLORADO SPRINGS, COLORADO, TO MEASURE THE EFFECTS OF AN ACTIVE POLICE-COMMUNITY RELATIONS PROGRAM UPON PERSONAL AND HOUSEHOLD CRIME RATES.

Abstract

THE BUREAU OF THE CENSUS, DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE VICTIMIZATION SURVEY MODEL WAS USED IN CONTACTING 3,500 HOUSEHOLDS IN COLORADO SPRINGS BY TELEPHONE INTERVIEWS AND BY MAIL QUESTIONNAIRE DURING THE SUMMER OF 1978. TOTAL RESPONSE RATE FOR TELEPHONE AND MAIL QUESTIONNAIRES COMBINED WAS 75 PERCENT (2,640 HOUSEHOLDS). RESULTS SHOWED THAT 833 HOUSEHOLDS REPORTED 963 SINGLE CRIMINAL INCIDENTS IN THE PAST 12 MONTHS. A TOTAL OF 106 RESPONDENTS REPORTED 2 INCIDENTS, AND 26 RESPONDENTS REPORTED 3 OR MORE INCIDENTS. ASSAULT, BURGLARY, LARCENY, MOTOR VEHICLE THEFT, AND VANDALISM WERE THE ONLY OFFENSES FOR WHICH ENOUGH INCIDENTS WERE REPORTED TO DETERMINE STATISTICALLY RELIABLE VICTIMIZATION ESTIMATES FOR COLORADO SPRINGS. DATA FOR THESE CATEGORIES INDICATE THAT COLORADO SPRINGS HAS MUCH LOWER VICTIMIZATION RATES THAN SHOWN BY 13 CITIES OF COMPARABLE SIZE IN THE NATIONAL CRIME PANEL SURVEYS, A FACT THAT CANNOT BE ACCOUNTED FOR BY BIASES IN SURVEY METHODOLOGY OR SAMPLING TECHNIQUES. IN ADDITION, COLORADO SPRINGS HAD A MUCH HIGHER REPORTING RATE FOR ALL CATEGORIES OF OFFENSES STUDIED THAN DID ANY OF THE CITIES FOR WHICH NATIONAL CRIME SURVEY PANEL DATA WERE AVAILABLE. ONLY ABOUT 11 PERCENT DECIDED NOT TO REPORT A CRIME INCIDENT, AND ONLY 8 PER 1,000 VICTIMS AVOIDED REPORTING AN INCIDENT TO POLICE BECAUSE THEY CONSIDERED POLICE TO BE UNWILLING TO HELP THEM. IT IS CONCLUDED THAT HIGH CRIME REPORTING RATES AND REDUCED CRIME RATES IN COLORADO SPRINGS ARE DUE TO THE HIGH LEVEL OF FAITH AND TRUST PLACED IN LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT CAPABILITIES BY ITS CITIZENS--A FEELING FOSTERED BY ACTIVE POLICE-COMMUNITY RELATIONS PROGRAMS ADMINISTERED BY THE LOCAL POLICE. POLICE-COMMUNITY PROGRAMS WHICH ENCOURAGE CITIZEN COOPERATION ARE DESCRIBED. (DEG)