NCJ Number
91829
Journal
Journal of Crime and Justice Volume: 5 Dated: (1982) Pages: 23-34
Date Published
1982
Length
12 pages
Annotation
Expanding a previous study, the present study surveys three Wyoming towns in various stages of population growth to determine the attitudes of residents about the effects of growth on neighborhood safety and crime rates.
Abstract
The surveyed towns are Lander, Wheatland, and Green River, experiencing minimal population growth, moderate but increasing population growth, and rapid population growth, respectively. Data derive from 437 questionnaires completed by households in predetermined representative areas of the communities. Methods of data analysis used are one-way analysis of variance, Chi-square, and the Modified Least Significance Difference a posteriori contrast. Results indicate that residents of the town undergoing rapid growth believe their town to be less safe than residents of the towns not growing rapidly. However, residents of the impacted town consider their immediate neighborhoods to be as safe as neighborhoods in nonimpacted communities. The vast majority of residents in each locale regard their towns and neighborhoods as safe and relatively crime free. Furthermore, the majority of residents even in the impacted area and in the impending impacted area believe that their neighborhood will continue to be safe and crime free. Thus, concern about population growth does not appear to be correlated to fear of increased criminal activity. Three notes, tables, and six references are supplied.