NCJ Number
214811
Journal
International Review of Victimology Volume: 12 Issue: 3 Dated: 2005 Pages: 247-271
Date Published
2005
Length
25 pages
Annotation
This study examined patterns in expressed feelings of general safety and fear of crime among a sample (n=330) of people in Trinidad at 3 time periods: September 1999, September 2000, and September 2001.
Abstract
Findings show that for each question on general feelings of safety or on specific fear of crime, some respondents changed their answers when asked the same question 12 months later; others did not. Some of those who had maintained the same answers over the first two surveys (2-year period) changed their answers the third year of the survey. Some who changed their answers for the second survey changed it back to their first response at the third survey. Following the three surveys over the 3 years, respondents were asked to explain any changes or consistency in their answers. The authors conclude that many of the respondents had good reasons for the answers given, whether or not they involved changes. The authors draw implications of these longitudinal findings for the measurement of crime prevention interventions. They note that some interventions may initially increase fear of crime, as people become more aware of the crimes being targeted. Longitudinal research on fear of crime can reflect various changes over time that people perceive as relevant to their risk of criminal victimization. The data reviewed are from the Community Living and Integration Survey conducted in Trinidad. Over the three waves of the study, the self-declared head of each household was the respondent. The initial sample was representative of the Trinidadian population in terms of age, geographical location, and occupation. A total of 330 respondents were surveyed in all 3 waves of the study. 13 tables, 4 notes, 34 references, and appended calculation of the expected proportion of respondents and data pertinent to consistency at the individual level