NCJ Number
100443
Date Published
1985
Length
173 pages
Annotation
The Downtown Safety, Security, and Economic Development Program assessed security needs in three outlying downtowns of New York City (Phase I) and searched locally and nationwide for strategies to combat crime problems faced by the targeted downtowns (Phase II).
Abstract
The three downtowns were Jamaica Center in Queens, Fordham Road in the Bronx, and downtown Brooklyn. Phase I consisted of a telephone survey of 610 trade area residents, interviews with local businessmen and officials, and an analysis of police crime data in the downtown precincts. Respondents felt safer in attractive areas with ''their kind of people'' on the streets, suggesting that downtown revitalization can reduce the fear of crime. Phase II collected information on downtown programs from many cities across the country, and field visits were conducted in nine cities. The strategies identified pertained to urban design and development, police and private security programs, and downtown leadership and organization. It was found that urban design and development should emphasize compact development, increased housing, mixed-use development, and downtown special events. Permanently assigned beat officers are important, as is the cooperation of businesses, public agencies, and citizens who mobilize area resources against crime and disorder. Appendixes discuss subway safety, dealing with special populations, police patrol strategies, and transportation and downtown security.