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

DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA - PILOT STUDY ON VICTIMIZATION AND ATTITUDES TOWARD LAW ENFORCEMENT - REPORT

NCJ Number
737
Author(s)
A D BIDERMAN; L A JOHNSON
Date Published
1967
Length
200 pages
Annotation
SURVEY OF RESIDENTS IN THREE CITY POLICE PRECINCTS ON THEIR EXPERIENCE AS CRIME VICTIMS, CONTACTS WITH CRIMINAL JUSTICE AGENCIES, AND FEAR OF HARM FROM VIOLENT CRIME.
Abstract
IT WAS FOUND THAT THE INCIDENCE OF CRIME IN THESE COMMUNITIES WAS SEVERAL TIMES THE MAGNITUDE INDICATED BY POLICE REPORTS. SEVERAL HYPOTHESES ARE OFFERED TO EXPLAIN THIS PHENOMENON. THE DATA ALSO INDICATED THAT THE RESIDENTS WERE EXTREMELY FEARFUL OF VICTIMIZATION AND THAT THESE FEARS HAD MARKED EFFECTS ON THEIR LIVESSTAYING HOME AT NIGHT, NOT VENTURING INTO PARKS, INSTALLING STOUTER LOCKS, AND MOVING TO BETTER NEIGHBORHOODS. THE RESPONDENTS WERE ALSO FOUND TO SUBSTANTIALLY RELY ON THE POLICE AND TO HAVE CONSIDERABLE GOODWILL TOWARD THEM.