U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government, Department of Justice.

NCJRS Virtual Library

The Virtual Library houses over 235,000 criminal justice resources, including all known OJP works.
Click here to search the NCJRS Virtual Library

ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS IN RURAL CRIME

NCJ Number
39478
Author(s)
G H PHILLIPS; G M KREPS; C W MOODY
Date Published
1976
Length
21 pages
Annotation
THIS PAPER RELATES A NUMBER OF DEMOGRAPHIC, ENVIRONMENTAL, AND ARCHITECTURAL FACTORS IN THE OCCURRENCE OF CRIME OR VICTIMIZATION BY CRIME IN RURAL OHIO.
Abstract
IT WAS FOUND THAT HIGHER-INCOME HOUSEHOLDS EXPERIENCE MORE CRIME THAN OTHERS; CHURCH MEMBERS ARE MORE OFTEN VICTIMS OF VANDALISM THAN NON-MEMBERS; RURAL DWELLINGS CLOSE TO ROADS ARE LESS LIKELY TO BE VANDALIZED OR STOLEN FROM THAN MORE REMOTE RESIDENCES. A RESIDENCE SITUATED ON ROLLING LAND IS MORE LIKELY TO BE VICTIMIZED THAN ONE ON FLAT LAND, AND RURAL RESIDENTS WHO ALWAYS LOCK THEIR HOUSE WHEN THEY LEAVE ARE MORE LIKELY TO BE VICTIMIZED THAN THOSE WHO NEVER LOCK THEIR HOUSE. FACTORS NOT LINKED WITH VICTIMIZATION INCLUDE FARMERS VS. NON-FARMERS, THE PRESENCE OF WATCHDOGS, DISTANCE OF RESIDENCE FROM NEIGHBOR, DISTANCE FROM TOWN, FENCES ON PROPERTY, SIZE OF FARM OR TRACT.