NCJ Number
224783
Journal
Journal of Criminal Justice Volume: 36 Issue: 5 Dated: September/October 2008 Pages: 396-402
Date Published
September 2008
Length
7 pages
Annotation
Utilizing social disorganization theory, broken windows theory, and routine activities theory as a guide, this study considered whether the degree of perceived disorder and the extent of the crime problem influenced the decision to alter the levels of guardianship.
Abstract
Perceptions of a crime problem are influenced by presence of disorder. Perceptions of a crime problem are loosely tied to guardianship strategies. In a similar vein, presence of disorder is loosely tied to guardianship strategies. Drug offenses and vandalism appear to be the two offenses most strongly tied to disorder and drug offenses were more often related to guardianship strategies than any of the other offenses. Implications arising from the findings, as well as recommendations for future research are presented and discussed. While the costs of business crimes is agreed to be significant, very little research has considered factors contributing to victimization or the ways businesses try to limit victimization. This study used social disorganization, broken windows, and routine activities theories as guides to consider how perceptions of crime in the neighborhood influenced business owners’ decisions on the use of various crime prevention (guardianship) strategies. Tables, references