IMPACT OF A MODEL CITIES PROGRAM ON THE CONVERGENCE OF CRIME RATES IN A MODEL CITY AREA AND RESIDUAL AREAS

• NCJ Number: 44410
• Author(s): B R TINKLER
• Date Published: 1976
• Length: 175 pages
• Sale Source: UMI Dissertation Services
• Publication Type: Thesis/Dissertation
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: NORTH TEXAS STATE UNIVERSITY - DOCTORAL DISSERTATION

Annotation

THE EFFECTS OF A MODEL CITIES PROGRAM IN AUSTIN, TEXAS ON THE DISTRIBUTION OF ROBBERY, BURGLARY, AND AUTO THEFT RATES IN THE CITY ARE EXAMINED.

Abstract

AUSTIN'S MODEL CITIES AREA WAS A 464-BLOCK NEIGHBORHOOD CONTAINING APPROXIMATELY 8 PERCENT OF THE POPULATION. THE MODEL CITIES PROGRAM OBJECTIVES RANGED FROM IMPROVING PHYSICAL FACILITIES (BUILDING A FIRE STATION AND RECREATIONAL FACILITY) TO IMPROVING SERVICES (ADDING RECREATIONAL PERSONNEL AND INCREASING RODENT CONTROL). ONE OF THE PROGRAM'S GOALS WAS TO DECREASE CRIME AND DELINQUENCY IN THE AREA OVER THE COURSE OF THE PROGRAM (1970 - 75). CRIME RATES PER 100,000 POPULATION FOR THE OFFENSES NOTED WERE CALCULATED FOR VARIOUS AREAS OF THE CITY FOR 1970 THROUGH 1975. THE FOLLOWING FINDINGS ARE REPORTED: (1) THERE WAS AT LEAST AN 8.73 PERCENT CONVERGENCE IN ROBBERY, BURGLARY, AND AUTO THEFT RATES FOR THE MODEL CITY AREA AND THE REST OF THE CITY BETWEEN 1970 AND 1975; (2) BURGLARY AND AUTO THEFT RATES, BUT NOT ROBBERY RATES, STABILIZED OR DECLINED IN RATE OF GROWTH IN THE MODEL CITY AREA DURING THE PERIOD STUDIED; AND (3) ROBBERY AND AND BURGLARY RATES, BUT NOT AUTO THEFT RATES, FOR CENSUS TRACTS CONTAINING SUBSTANTIAL PORTIONS OF THE MODEL CITIES AREA CONVERGED WITH RATES FOR OTHER CENSUS TRACTS BY AT LEAST 8.73 PERCENT. IT IS CONCLUDED THAT THE MODEL CITIES PROGRAM PROBABLY WAS A CONTRIBUTING FACTOR IN THE REDUCTION OF SELECTED CRIMES IN THE MODEL NEIGHBORHOOD. SUPPORTING DATA AND A A BIBLIOGRAPHY ARE INCLUDED. (LKM)