SCOTTISH ASSOCIATION FOR THE STUDY OF DELINQUENCY PLANNING FOR DELINQUENCY? - WHO PREVENTS CRIME? - A REPORT ON THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE ANNUAL CONFERENCES OF 1977 AND 1978

• NCJ Number: 64222
• Author(s): ANON
• Date Published: 1979
• Length: 66 pages
• Corporate Author: Scottish Assoc for the Study of Delinquency
• Publication Format: Document
• Language: English
• Country: United Kingdom

Annotation

THIS 1978 REPORT FROM A SCOTTISH CRIME-PREVENTION SYMPOSIUM CONTAINS PAPER ON HOUSING AND TOWN PLANNING FOR CRIME CONTROL.

Abstract

PLANNERS AND POLICEMEN AGREE THAT LARGE, MODERN, IMPERSONAL HIGH-RISE HOUSING DEVELOPMENTS OFTEN FOSTER CRIME, ESPECIALLY WHEN INHABITED BY FAMILIES WITH CHILDREN OR LOW-INCOME, UNSTABLE FAMILIES. ALTHOUGH PHYSICAL IMPROVEMENTS OF BUILDINGS AND GROUNDS OR PROPER BUILDING DESIGN MAY HELP REDUCE VANDALISM AND OTHER CRIMES, THE BEST CRIME CONTROL METHOD IS TENANT CONCERN AND RESPONSIBILITY. TENANTS' RESPONSIBILITY CAN BE ENCOURAGED BY PLANNERS WHO CONSIDER THEIR NEEDS AND IDEAS IN DESIGNING OR IMPROVING HOUSING FOR COMFORT AND SECURITY. HOWEVER, THE BEST PHYSICAL LAYOUT FOR CRIME CONTROL IS A SMALL COMMUNITY WITH MANY BUSY STREETS AND SMALL APARTMENT BUILDINGS. THIS FOSTERS A NETWORK OF SOCIAL RELATIONS IMPORTANT TO COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT IN CRIME PREVENTION. URBAN CRIME PREVENTION REQUIRES THE CLOSEST COOPERATION AMONG POLICE, ARCHITECTS, PLANNERS, HOUSING MANAGERS, AND TENANTS. FURTHER DISCUSSION EVALUATES TREATMENT, DECRIMINALIZATION, INCARCERATION, POLICING, SOCIAL REFORM, AND INCREASED SECURITY AS CRIME CONTROL METHODS. CHARTS AND TABLES ARE INCLUDED. (PAP)