Has Police Housing Gotten a Bum Rap? The Incidence of Crime in St Louis Public Housing Developments

• NCJ Number: 89730
• Journal: Environment and Behavior Volume: 14 Issue: 4 Dated: (July 1982) Pages: 443-477
• Author(s): J E Farley
• Date Published: 1982
• Length: 35 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: Earlier version of this article was presented at the 1980 annual meeting of the American Sociological Association in New York City.

Annotation

Crime rates in and near public housing developments, even large ones, may be lower than is widely believed, particularly for more serious crimes.

Abstract

Data were obtained from police on the incidence of crime in multiblock areas containing 10 public housing developments in St. Louis, Mo. The data covered eight FBI Index crimes and were obtained for 7 years, 1971-1977. Crime rates per 100,000 population were computed. Seven of the public housing units were large (over 500 units). There was a mix of lowrise and highrise developments and conventionally and tenant-managed developments. The data indicate that the crime rates per 100,000 population in and near the public housing developments are not significantly higher than in the city as a whole. One note and about 40 references are included. (Author abstract modified)