Public Communication About Home Burglary Prevention in Belgium: Strengths and Weaknesses Tested by Content Analysis and Focus Group Interviews

• NCJ Number: 221485
• Journal: Policing: An International Journal of Police Strategies and Management Volume: 30 Issue: 4 Dated: 2007 Pages: 567-586
• Author(s): Dave Gelders; Hans Peeraer; Jelle Goossens
• Date Published: 2007
• Length: 20 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United Kingdom

Annotation

This paper examines the content, formation, and evaluation of printed public communication from police officers and governments regarding home burglary prevention in Belgium.

Abstract

The findings indicate that police zones significantly differ in terms of communication efforts. The media mix is not diverse; the municipal magazine is the medium most used to disseminate information about home burglary prevention. There is poor collaboration between police officers and government information officers, and communication efforts about home burglary prevention are not consistent between police zones. Since burglary is a crime associated with substantial emotional impact, informing citizens with information on how to reduce their chance of becoming a victim is paramount. There were rarely introductory issues in the communication and it was insufficiently communicated as to why the prevention measures were important. Messages were formulated from a rational and technical point of view and the communication was not targeted to specific groups. Renovators, new home builders, victims, and vacationers receive the most information but, are rarely used as intermediaries. Public communication about home burglaries has an impact on the knowledge of citizens as attitudes regarding home burglary prevention and the impact of verbal communication cause behavior to change. Printed communication supported by verbal communication is considered to be the most effective. Recommendations for improvement include: richer media mix, more targeted communication, more national communication support, more training of police officers, and additional dialogue between police officers and professionals/intermediaries. Data were collected through five focus group interviews among professionals and common citizens, and the examination of 104 communication pieces. Tables, references