NCJ Number
102581
Journal
Journal of Police Science and Administration Volume: 14 Issue: 3 Dated: (September 1986) Pages: 223-233
Date Published
1986
Length
11 pages
Annotation
This evaluation of the Baltimore County Police Department's (Maryland) Citizen Oriented Police Enforcement (COPE) Project found that it achieved moderate reductions in citizens' reported fear of crime.
Abstract
The project, which was implemented in 1982, assigned 45 officers to newly created COPE units that served targeted neighborhoods. The units saturated their neighborhoods with mobile patrol, conducted door-to-door surveys to identify crime problems, performed some foot patrol, and guided citizens in crime prevention activity. COPE also emphasized the identification and analysis of neighborhood social control problems and the development of problemsolving strategies in cooperation with citizens. The project's overall purpose was to reduce citizens' fear of crime. Citizens were surveyed before and 3 years after COPE's implementation to determine any changes in fear of crime. The postsurveys generally included one-half repeat respondents and one-half new respondents. A total of 200 persons were surveyed in each target neighborhood. The dimensions of fear examined included 'staying-in' behavior, perceived likelihood of victimization, and various sources of fear. Overall, COPE interventions moderately reduced fear of crime, and this effect was more pronounced as the project evolved. 10 tables and 13 references.