NCJ Number
72671
Date Published
1977
Length
420 pages
Annotation
The geography of crime approach for examining crime and for developing methods to control it is exemplified in this study of armed robbery and burglary in Denver from 1970 through 1975.
Abstract
After an examination of the background of contemporary efforts to combat serious crime, the study concludes that the major thrust of these efforts had been unrealistic and misdirected towards long range social projects rather than towards fighting crime. Background information on the history of Denver, the police geographic subdivision of the city, and on crime in this city is provided. A study of Denver's high crime zones reveals that no single package plan for crime reduction exists and that individual neighborhood prescriptive packages must be developed. The burglar and armed robber receive special attention and findings are presented on motivations, attitudes, target selection, equipment, use of violence, ethnic preferences, and the disposal of loot. A relatively small population of criminals is found to perpetrate over 51 percent of the city's annual serious crime; therefore, controls on habitual offenders are recommended. A discussion of factors influencing crime includes the passage of time and the changes in the landscape, the weather, seasons, day of the week, time of day, and target site vulnerability. The results of intensive policing on different types of offenders, and crime deterrence versus displacement are examined. Finally, recommendations are made for the strengthening of the neighborhood, legal statutes, and police functions and for establishing a realistic anticrime program. Data tables and graphs, maps, footnotes, and approximately 125 references are included.