NCJ Number
48752
Date Published
1977
Length
22 pages
Annotation
THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN AVAILABILITY OF RECREATIONAL FACILITIES AND INCIDENCE OF CRIMES COMMITTED BY JUVENILES IS EXAMINED IN A STUDY OF SEVEN NEIGHBORHOODS IN JACKSONVILLE, FLA.
Abstract
THE REPORT OPENS WITH AN OVERVIEW OF THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN RECREATION AND CRIME, INCLUDING REVIEWS OF PAST STUDIES AND AN ASSESSMENT OF FLORIDA PROGRAMS AIMED AT PREVENTING DELINQUENCY THROUGH PROVISION OF RECREATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES. DATA ON RECREATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES (PARKS, COMMUNITY CENTERS, SCHOOLS, CLUBS, GOVERNMENT RECREATIONAL SPECIALISTS) AND ON INCIDENCE OF CRIMES BY JUVENILES (HOMICIDE, RAPE, ROBBERY, ASSAULT, BREAKING AND ENTERING, LARCENY, AUTO THEFT) ARE ANALYZED FOR SEVEN AREAS OF THE CITY. THE STUDY FOUND THAT NUMEROUS RECREATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES EXIST IN THE CITY BUT THAT THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN CRIME AND AVAILABILITY OF RECREATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES VARIES. INTERVIEWS WITH RECREATIONAL PROGRAM PERSONNEL INDICATED THAT PROPERLY SUPERVISED RECREATION HAS A WHOLESOME EFFECT ON JUVENILES. IT IS CONCLUDED THAT THERE PROBABLY ARE OTHER VARIABLES INFLUENCING CRIME IN THE AREAS STUDIED, AND THAT THE DATA DO NOT PROVE THAT CRIME IS OR IS NOT RELATED TO RECREATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES. RECOMMENDATIONS ARE OFFERED, INCLUDING SEVERAL AIMED AT IMPROVING CRIME REPORTING PROCEDURES. SUPPORTING DATA ARE INCLUDED. (LKM)