NCJ Number
32556
Date Published
1973
Length
227 pages
Annotation
A JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA STUDY TO DETERMINE IF AND, HOW THE PHYSICAL STREET ENVIRONMENT ACTS AS AN (ACCESSORY' OR 'DETERRENT' TO STREET STRANGER TO STRANGER CRIMES.
Abstract
FOUR HIGH CRIME AND FOUR LOW CRIME AREAS WERE STUDIED. AT EACH SITE, A PHYSICAL SITE INVENTORY WAS MADE OF NUMEROUS STRUCTURES, AND SURVEYS WERE MADE TO DETERMINE USERS' (PEDESTRIANS'), OFFENDERS', AND POLICE PERCEPTIONS OF ENVIRONMENTAL INDICATORS AS THEY RELATE TO THE INCIDENCE AND CHARACTER OF CRIME. THESE INDICATORS WERE FOUND TO INCLUDE THE PRESENCE OR ABSENCE OF OPEN SPACES, TYPES OF COMMERCIAL, AND RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS, AND STRUCTURAL CONDITION OF THE BUILDINGS. AVAILABILITY OF CONCEALMENT, STREET TYPE, STREET COMMUNICATIONS, AND SURVEILLANCE WERE ALSO FOUND TO BE IMPORTANT. THE STUDY RECOMMENDS THAT THESE FINDINGS BE VALIDATED IN THE CONTEXT OF A PHYSICAL DEMONSTRATION WHICH COULD BE MONITORED AND EVALUATED. THE STUDY ALSO INCLUDES AN OVERVIEW OF CRIME-ENVIRONMENT LITERATURE, AS WELL AS MAPS, DIAGRAMS, AND TABLES.