NCJ Number
88258
Date Published
1982
Length
14 pages
Annotation
Data from the Uniform Crime Reports from 1959 to 1979 show that while reported rates of urban crime are substantially higher than those for rural crime, the rural crime index rate of 1979 exceeded the metropolitan crime index rate of 1966.
Abstract
Since the late 1960's, the rate of Index crimes in rural areas has been increasing faster than that for urban areas. Both rural and urban crime consist mainly of property crimes, but property crimes since 1970 have constituted a slightly higher percentage of rural crime than of urban crime. Between 1974 and 1979, the highest reported rates of violent crime for both urban and rural areas shifted from the South Atlantic region to the Pacific region. The Pacific region had the highest reported rates of property crimes in rural areas in both 1974 and 1979. For urban areas, the highest reported property crime rates occurred in the Mountain region in both years. The largest increase in reported violent crime in rural areas occurred in New England, while the largest increase in urban places occurred in the West South Central region. Rural residents are increasingly concerned about the crime problem, as indicated by responses to Gallup polls. Opinions vary regarding whether awareness of crime is a force which will weaken social cohesion in rural areas or whether it is a unifying force to enhance community solidarity. Crime may function to strengthen social relationships if it is viewed as a community problem requiring a community response. Neighborhood Watch and other community-based approaches to crime prevention emphasize the individual's responsibility as a member of the larger community. Tables, notes, and 10 references are included. (Author summary modified)