NCJ Number
61952
Date Published
1979
Length
22 pages
Annotation
FINDINGS OF A 1979 CRIME POLL IN TEXAS ARE COMPARED WITH THOSE FROM PREVIOUS POLLS AND SHOW THAT TEXANS TAKE A SEVERE STANCE ON CRIME.
Abstract
FINDINGS ARE BASED ON THE RESPONSES OF 1,530 RANDOMLY-CHOSEN TEXANS RETURNING THE TEXAS CRIME POLL QUESTIONNAIRE. THEY RESIDE IN 180 COUNTIES AND REPRESENT A CROSS SECTION OF TEXAS RESIDENTS. MALES ARE OVERREPRESENTED AND BLACKS, UNDERREPRESENTED. OVER THREE-FOURTHS OF ALL RESPONDENTS SUPPORT THE DEATH PENALTY FOR CRIMES SUCH AS MURDER AND RAPE. CONCERN ABOUT VIOLENT CRIME CONTINUES AS MOST RESPONDENTS BELIEVE THAT OFFENDERS CONVICTED OF VIOLENT CRIMES SHOULD NOT RECEIVE PROBATION. OVER ONE-HALF FEEL THEY MAY BE A CRIME VICTIM OVER THE NEXT YEAR, AND ONE-FOURTH ARE AFRAID TO WALK OUTSIDE THEIR HOMES AT NIGHT. MOREOVER, ABOUT THREE-FOURTHS OF THE RESPONDENTS HAVE PLACED SECURITY DEVICES IN THEIR HOMES. SURVEYS FROM 1977-1979 SHOW RESPONDENTS BELIEVE THE COURTS ARE LAX WITH CRIMINALS. MANDATORY SUPERVISION OF INDIVIDUALS RELEASED FROM PRISON IS FAVORED. HOWEVER, WHEN COMPARED WITH PREVIOUS POLLS, MORE RESPONDENTS FEEL CRIME HAS WORSENED IN THEIR COMMUNITIES. MOST RESPONDENTS FAVOR INMATES' WORKING WITHOUT PAY OR WORKING TO PAY DAMAGES TO THEIR VICTIMS. MOST ALSO WANT TO SEE EVIDENCE PRESENTED IN COURT EVEN IF OBTAINED UNLAWFULLY, SO LONG AS THE POLICEMAN INVOLVED THOUGHT THE ACTION WAS LEGAL. MANY RESPONDENTS BELIEVE COURTS HAMPER POLICE WORK, AND DO NOT OBJECT TO THE USE OF DEADLY FORCE BY POLICE FOR SELF-PROTECTION. MOST RESPONDENTS DO NOT BELIEVE POLICE USE EXCESSIVE FORCE IN DEALING WITH CRIMINALS. CHARTS, TABLES, AND A LEGISLATION MANDATE ARE INCLUDED. (PAP)