DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA - PILOT STUDY ON VICTIMIZATION AND ATTITUDES TOWARD LAW ENFORCEMENT - REPORT

• NCJ Number: 737
• Author(s): A D BIDERMAN; L A JOHNSON
• Date Published: 1967
• Length: 200 pages
• Grant Number(s): OLEA-66-002
• Sponsoring Agency: US Dept of Justice
• Corporate Author: Bureau of Social Science Research, Inc
• Sale Source: Superintendent of Documents, GPO
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: PRES COMMISSION ON LAW ENFORCEMENT AND ADMIN OF JUSTICE, FIELD SURVEYS N 1

Annotation

SURVEY OF RESIDENTS IN THREE CITY POLICE PRECINCTS ON THEIR EXPERIENCE AS CRIME VICTIMS, CONTACTS WITH CRIMINAL JUSTICE AGENCIES, AND FEAR OF HARM FROM VIOLENT CRIME.

Abstract

IT WAS FOUND THAT THE INCIDENCE OF CRIME IN THESE COMMUNITIES WAS SEVERAL TIMES THE MAGNITUDE INDICATED BY POLICE REPORTS. SEVERAL HYPOTHESES ARE OFFERED TO EXPLAIN THIS PHENOMENON. THE DATA ALSO INDICATED THAT THE RESIDENTS WERE EXTREMELY FEARFUL OF VICTIMIZATION AND THAT THESE FEARS HAD MARKED EFFECTS ON THEIR LIVESSTAYING HOME AT NIGHT, NOT VENTURING INTO PARKS, INSTALLING STOUTER LOCKS, AND MOVING TO BETTER NEIGHBORHOODS. THE RESPONDENTS WERE ALSO FOUND TO SUBSTANTIALLY RELY ON THE POLICE AND TO HAVE CONSIDERABLE GOODWILL TOWARD THEM.