PUBLIC ATTITUDES TOWARD CRIMINAL JUSTICE AGENCIES, POLICIES, AND LEVELS OF CRIMINAL VICTIMIZATION - A PRELIMINARY ANALYSIS OF CITIZEN RESPONSES IN VIRGINIA BEACH (VA)

• NCJ Number: 30196
• Author(s): C W THOMAS; C C NELSON
• Date Published: 1975
• Length: 45 pages
• Sale Source: National Institute of Justice/
• Publication Type: Survey
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

THIS PRELIMINARY REPORT PROVIDES A BRIEF OVERVIEW OF THE FINDINGS RESULTING FROM A SURVEY OF 1,137 VIRGINIA BEACH HOUSEHOLDS REGARDING CRIME PERCEPTIONS, VICTIMIZATION EXPERIENCES, AND ATTITUDES TOWARDS CRIMINAL JUSTICE.

Abstract

DURING THE WINTER OF 1973-74, A SURVEY PROJECT WHICH FOCUSED ON A VARIETY OF QUESTIONS RELEVANT TO CRIMINAL JUSTICE PLANNING ACTIVITIES WAS UNDERTAKEN IN THE JURISDICTIONS OF CHESAPEAKE, NORFOLK, PORTSMOUTH, AND VIRGINIA BEACH, VIRGINIA. THE TOPICS ON WHICH PARTICULAR ATTENTION WAS FOCUSED INCLUDED THE EXTENT AND TYPE OF CRIMINAL VICTIMIZATION THAT HAD BEEN EXPERIENCED BY RESIDENTS OF THE FOUR-CITY AREA, ATTITUDES TOWARD AND ASSESSMENTS OF THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE AGENCIES WHICH SERVE THE AREA, EVALUATIONS OF PRESENT OF POTENTIAL PROGRAMS AND POLICIES OF THESE AGENCIES, AND ATTITUDES TOWARD A SERIES OF CONTEMPORARY ISSUES RELATED TO THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM. THIS PRELIMINARY ANALYSIS OF DATA OBTAINED FROM A SAMPLE OF VIRGINIA BEACH RESIDENTS REVEALS BOTH SIGNIFICANT LEVELS OF CRIMINAL VICTIMIZATION AND THE BELIEF AMONG AREA RESIDENTS THAT CRIME IS A MAJOR SOCIAL PROBLEM. IT IS IMPORTANT TO NOTE, HOWEVER, THAT THE MAJORITY OF THOSE CONTACTED FELT THAT THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM IN THEIR CITY WAS FUNCTIONING IN AN EFFICIENT AND EFFECTIVE MANNER. MOREOVER, THERE APPEARED TO BE A SUBSTANTIAL INTEREST AMONG THESE CITIZENS IN SUPPORTING BOTH MORE EXTENSIVE CRIMINAL JUSTICE PROGRAMS AND A GREATER DEGREE OF CITIZEN INVOLVEMENT IN THE WORK OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE AGENCIES. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED)