NCJ Number
83987
Date Published
1982
Length
30 pages
Annotation
This 1982 fear-of-crime poll of South Carolinians shows that concern about personal safely (86.6 percent in 1981 and 82 percent in 1982) and safety of personal property (86.6 percent in both years) remains high and constant.
Abstract
The poll, conducted by the College of Criminal Justice of the University of South Carolina between March 30 and April 15, used a random digit dialing procedure that reached a sample of the population in all 46 counties of the State. Although concern about personal safety and the safety of personal property remains high and constant, the belief that 'crime has increased in your area' has decreased slightly but not significantly (62.7 percent in 1981 and 59.1 percent in 1982). Among the precautions citizens reported taking against crime, only the keeping of guns increased significantly, with the 51 percent who reported keeping guns for protection being a 15 percent increase over 1981. Relatively constant were the keeping of dogs (45.2 percent), the aviodance of areas perceived as dangerous (70.1 percent), avoidance of being out alone after dark (63.5 percent), and home installation of special security devices. Victimization not reported to the police increased from 6.2 percent in 1981 to 7.4 percent in 1982. Poll results are also presented by sex, race, area, education level, age, county, and judicial district.