NCJ Number
98852
Date Published
1985
Length
75 pages
Annotation
To assist the Milwaukee Police Department in targeting crime prevention activities and to provide baseline attitudinal and behavioral data for later program evaluation purposes, a neighborhood survey was conducted in a two-district, pilot area in December 1984.
Abstract
Residents (595 Households) responded to questions covering specific crime concerns, fear of crime, household security measures, and interest in the crime prevention program. Analysis of data showed rape, homicide, and burglary to be of concern to residents in both districts on a citywide basis. Crimes most frequently cited as neighborhood problems were burglary, robbery, and rape. Over 70 percent of the sample reported feeling as safe or safer in their neighborhoods and homes compared to a year earlier. A growing perception of neighborhood crime problems was found among victims, unmarried respondents, and those over 40 years of age. The types and numbers of security measures undertaken by households varied among the areas surveyed. In general, homeowners were more likely than renters to have adopted security measures: 25.4 percent of all renters had adopted no security measures, as compared to 7.4 percent of all homeowners. Respondents showed much interest in a crime prevention program, with 84.6 percent of all respondents indicating an interest in attending a crime prevention program and crime prevention activities, particularly Block Watch programs. Overall, results indicate that a majority of residents have a high degree of neighborhood concern and are interested in attending crime prevention activities. Appendixes contain 32 data tables, maps of the study area, the survey instrument, and related research materials and information.