NCJ Number
108246
Journal
Journal of California Law Enforcement Volume: 20 Issue: 3 Dated: (1986) Pages: 106-110
Date Published
1986
Length
5 pages
Annotation
This study assesses the effectiveness of the Guardian Angels, a nationwide citizen crime patrol, in reducing crime and the fear of crime.
Abstract
Twenty-one Angel chapters throughout the Nation were selected for study. Eight urban cities were primary sites: Dallas, Sacramento, San Diego, San Francisco, Boston, Chicago, Cleveland, and New York. In these cities, Angel Members were interviewed, data were collected from Angel patrol logs, and the research team joined Angel patrols. Interviews were conducted to obtain opinions on the Angels from police and city administrators, merchants, and residents. A quasi-experimental design with a modified multiple time series design was used to examine the Angels' impact on crime in downtown San Diego. Angels did not have an impact on the violent crimes they target, but their patrols may have contributed to a decline in the number of property crimes in the areas patrolled. Although the police were not greatly enthused about the Angels' contributions to crime prevention, citizens were encouraged by the Angels' patrols and felt safer knowing Angels are patrolling the streets. The Angels' leadership has fostered independence from the police, which perhaps explains the low police opinion of the Angels. The Angels apparently offer an alternative approach for citizen involvement in crime prevention by providing positive role models for youth, bridging the gap between the elderly and adolescents, and reducing the fear of crime for some segments of the population. 2 tables and 6-item bibliography.