NCJ Number
102161
Date Published
1985
Length
160 pages
Annotation
This report details the evaluation design, methodologies, instruments, and procedures used to reduce citizens' fear of crime in Newark, N.J., and Houston, Tex., in 1983 and 1984.
Abstract
Various program activities in the two cities were designed to increase the number and quality of police-citizen contacts and reduce the signs of social disorder and physical deterioration. Within each city, selected demographic and crime data were used to choose five closely matched neighborhoods. Programs were implemented in four of the neighborhoods, and the fifth was used as a comparison area not involved in fear reduction activities. Programs were evaluated through interviews with random samples of residents and representatives of nonresidential establishments in program and comparison areas before and after program implementation. The interview questionnaires focused on satisfaction with the neighborhood, attitudes toward the police, concern about disorder and deterioration, fear of crime, concern about crime, crime prevention, victimization, and knowledge of program activities. In addition to describing the evaluation design, survey samples and instruments, and data collection procedures, this report describes survey management and quality control and data preparation. Appendixes contain questionnaires, evaluation training manuals, codebooks, interrupted time series analysis results, and other methodological discussions.