NCJ Number
136239
Journal
Environment and Behavior Volume: 24 Issue: 1 Dated: (January 1992) Pages: 35-65
Date Published
1992
Length
31 pages
Annotation
Interviews and observations were used in three studies that tested a theoretical model that asserts that fear of crime is related to exterior site features of a location.
Abstract
According to the model, places that afford offenders refuge and victims limited prospect and escape will be seen as unsafe. The research focused on the Wexner Center for the Visual Arts which was completed in 1989 at Ohio State University. Information was gathered from observations of behavior of pedestrians and interviews regarding the site plans and perceptions of safety to exterior areas that varied in prospect, refuge, and escape. The findings confirmed that fear of crime was highest in areas with refuge for potential offenders and low prospect and escape for potential victims. Results indicated that in places such as campuses, which have pronounced fear of crime, designs that manipulate prospect, refuge, and escape could reduce the fear of crime as well as opportunities for crime. Tables, notes, and 36 references