NCJ Number
93671
Date Published
1983
Length
198 pages
Annotation
This document reports the findings of 1982 surveys of rural sheriffs and residents of 69 predominantly rural counties in Ohio regarding the incidence and nature of rural crime, causes of such crime, and effective crime prevention measures.
Abstract
Data supplied by the 58 sheriffs who completed the questionnaires showed that the 1981 crime report rate for the 15 survey crimes was 3,964.6 per 100,000 rural residents. Larceny, which comprised 32 percent of reported crime, was most often reported, followed by burglary at 21.3 percent, vandalism at 19.4 percent, and domestic violence at 9 percent. Questionnaires were mailed to 2,131 households and 76 percent responded. In contrast to prior studies, the majority of these individuals believed that crime is on the increase. Of the respondents, 20 percent indicated they or a member of their household had been a victim of crime in 1981, and 45 percent of these crimes had been reported to the police. Trespassing was the most frequent crime, followed by vandalism and burglary. When asked to choose factors contributing to crime, sheriffs chose sheriffs' manpower shortages, abuse of drugs or alcohol, unemployment and recession, offenders from urban areas, and changes in family values most frequently. Residents chose abuse of drugs and alcohol, unemployment and recession, changes in family values, and courts' handling of cases. Precautions selected by sheriffs as most effective in preventing crime included notifying the sheriff of criminal activity, neighborhood crime prevention groups, and locking houses, other buildings, vehicles, and equipment. Residents chose locking houses and other buildings, outdoor lighting, watchdogs, neighborhood groups, and leaving lights on in houses and unoccupied buildings. Residents generally were satisfied with local law enforcement, but many wanted more frequent patrolling and the majority of complaints were not satisfied with the handling of their report. The report discusses previous studies of rural crime and compares responses of farm and nonfarm residents. Tables, graphs, maps, population data on the survey counties, breakdowns of responses by county, and questionnaire forms are supplied.