NCJ Number
211033
Journal
Criminal Justice Policy Review Volume: 16 Issue: 3 Dated: September 2005 Pages: 287-318
Date Published
September 2005
Length
32 pages
Annotation
This study drew on data from two recent nonmetropolitan studies to explore the impact of structural features and social processes on crime and perceptions of social solidarity among citizens.
Abstract
In urban areas of the United States, researchers and criminal justice practitioners have created crime reduction and prevention strategies. Considerably less research has been conducted in nonmetropolitan areas and perhaps as a result, crime reduction and prevention programming is largely absent in these settings. In order to address this void and provide research that can begin to guide crime control policy in non-urban settings, the current study drew on 2 recent nonmetropolitan studies that collected survey data from 1,125 citizens living in 31 nonmetropolitan areas of Michigan. These studies applied hierarchical linear modeling techniques to their data analysis and were guided by social disorganization theory that focuses on the structural constraints and the processes of social networks that influence crime and crime-related outcomes. The current analysis focused on perceived incivility, economic disadvantage, informal social control mechanisms, and burglary rates. The analysis revealed that social cohesion within nonmetropolitan areas may operate to reduce and prevent crime. Policy recommendations are offered that focus on three ways of generating social cohesion, such as through manipulating the social structure by attracting the attention of public service and government agencies, which would presumably generate social capital and modes of social change. Future research should continue to focus on informing criminal justice-related policy in nonmetropolitan areas. Tables, figure, notes, references