NCJ Number
18110
Date Published
1974
Length
314 pages
Annotation
CONCLUDES THAT THE PRODUCING QUALITY OF PERSONS IS A SIGNIFICANT LIMIT TO THE PRODUCTION CAPABILITY OF A SOCIETY AND DEVELOPS A SAMPLE OF SOCIAL COSTS THAT REFLECTS LOSS IN OUTPUT DUE TO DIFFERENT WEALTH LEVELS.
Abstract
THREE OF THE SEVEN NEIGHBORHOODS STUDIED ARE ESTABLISHED BLACK AND PUERTO RICAN SLUM-GHETTOS, TWO ARE DECLINING TRANSITIONAL AREAS, AND TWO ARE STABLE UPPER-MIDDLE INCOME WHITE COMMUNITIES. THE TWO PUBLIC SERVICES MEASURED FOR COST IN EACH NEIGHBORHOOD WERE FIRE AND CRIME. FIRE INCIDENCE, CRIME COMPLAINTS, FIRE INSURANCE PAYMENTS, PERSONAL DAMAGES, ECONOMIC LOSSES DUE TO CRIMINAL VICTIMIZATION, ARREST RATES, AND PUBLIC EXPENDITURES MADE ON BEHALF OF RESIDENTS FOR FIRE AND POLICE IN EACH NEIGHBORHOOD WERE THE COST MEASURES. THE STUDY ATTEMPTED TO IDENTIFY, USING MULTIPLE REGRESSION TECHNIQUES, THE FACTORS RELATED TO THE CHARACTERISTICS OF THE POPULATION AND THOSE OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD THAT SHOW A HIGH NET ASSOCIATION WITH THE DERIVED SOCIAL COST INDICATORS OF FIRE AND CRIME. THE NEIGHBORHOODS WITH LOW HUMAN PRODUCTIVITY AND WEALTH WERE FOUND TO REQUIRE A SIGNIFICANTLY HIGHER COST OUTPUT FOR AN EXTENSIVE PUBLIC SERVICE SYSTEM THAT CONTROLS RATHER THAN ELIMINATES ECONOMIC POVERTY AND ITS EFFECTS.