NCJ Number
147427
Journal
City Journal Dated: (Spring 1992) Pages: 21-33
Date Published
1992
Length
13 pages
Annotation
The author discusses the relative value of statistics and attitudes toward crime.
Abstract
Police strategy and tactics are driven by statistical and bureaucratic measures of performance that have little to do with community needs. In New York City, rates of various crimes, as reported to police, are significantly lower than in other cities. According to this and other seemingly objective criteria--arrest counts, response time, police integrity--the New York Police Department does relatively well. Yet, New Yorkers believe the police are not tough enough on crime, and they are right. Favorable statistics possibly are due to citizens' low expectations of police, thus reduced rates of reporting crimes. Sometimes, superior police actions may work to statistical disadvantage. For instance, it is better to prevent a riot and not have to arrest anyone, than to intervene only after violence has broken out, take credit for arresting the instigators, and allow neighborhood tensions to swell. Fear of crime creates a climate of disorder which, left untended, is conducive to serious crime. Police and policymakers should tend to the root of the problem and determine what citizens want from police.