NCJ Number
87946
Date Published
1982
Length
0 pages
Annotation
Aired on television before a live audience, the National Crime and Violence Test on Burglary and Mugging was hosted by Art Linkletter and Jayne Kennedy. The test measures how well individuals are prepared to handle a burglary or mugging incident and covers common misconceptions about these crimes.
Abstract
The test is composed of several parts. For each part, the audience completes a test form containing true-false or multiple-choice answers. A certain amount of time is allotted for the audience to pick their answers, after which the hosts discuss each possible response, explaining why a certain answer is the correct one and the others are not. The scores are added up at the end of each section and again at the conclusion of the test to indicate rankings (i.e., a certain score shows the test taker knows a lot about burglary and mugging, while another score indicates ignorance of the facts.) The mugging and burglary situations are illustrated on the screen, and the test questions concern the appropriate response in each case. Among the mugging incidents depicted are encounters with armed robbers, street confrontations with assailants in an automobile, and victimization by irrational muggers. A business holdup is also depicted. The perspective on private home security against breakins is presented from the burglars' viewpoint, who compare the vulnerability of two neighboring suburban houses. In this context, a variety of physical crime prevention measures are brought forth in terms of exterior and interior lighting, secure locks at entry points, and the safekeeping of valuables. Knowledge and implementation of precautions against burglary are deemed particularly vital, since about 450 burglaries occur about every 90 minutes.