NCJ Number
86460
Date Published
1981
Length
49 pages
Annotation
An evaluation of a 1979 burglary control effort in Moerwijk, Netherlands, which was performed by citizen surveys conducted before and after the program, found that burglary rates were reduced.
Abstract
A team of eight officers, two detectives, and a coordinator were assigned to intensive foot and bicycle patrol as well as to public information duties concerning crime prevention and to priority processing and investigation of burglary incidents. Goals were to decrease burglary incidence, improve police-community relations, promote citizen crime precautions, and increase burglary clearance rates. The citizen surveys included 826 pre-experiment respondents and 749 postexperiment respondents in Moerwijk and a smaller number of residents in a neighboring control district. Results showed that the police team was known to about 40 percent of Moerwijkers, and acquaintance with the team was highest among the 40-65 age group and lowest among the under 25 age group. More upper and middle-class residents were familiar with the program than were those of the lower classes. Although young people and unskilled workers are two population groups in large cities with relatively high victimization risks, they were the least affected by crime prevention publicity. Those who knew of the program increased their crime reporting and preventive measures against burglary. The same group affirmed a slightly more favorable opinion of the police. Reported burglaries did drop in Moerwijk while rising in the rest of the country. Subsequently, similar experiments in other urban centers of Holland also reduced local burglary rates. Tables, charts, and footnotes are given.