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Open Space Robbery in Atlanta (Georgia), December 1979-November 1980

NCJ Number
81789
Date Published
Unknown
Length
42 pages
Annotation
This report profiles open space robbery in Atlanta and the criminal justice system response. A victim's account of this type of robbery and crime reduction recommendations are included.
Abstract
Open space robbery is considered any robbery occurring on a street, alleyway, sidewalk, park, parking lot, or yard. The study analyzed open space robberies in Atlanta reported to the police between December 1979 and November 1980. Police reports were reviewed in detail, and robberies fitting the 'open space' definition were identified. The study found that Atlanta ranked third highest among 10 similar cities in the rate of open space robberies per 1,000 population during 1980. One-third of the 2,536 open space robberies occurred in 7 police beats within a 2-mile radius of Five Points. Almost one-half occurred between 8:00 pm and 3:00 am, and 40 percent occurred on Fridays and Saturdays. Almost 9 of 10 victims were robbed while alone, almost 6 out of 10 involved robbers on foot who attacked victims on foot, and almost 3 out of 10 involved victims in vehicles who were attacked by robbers in vehicles or on foot. More than twice as many victims were injured through the use of bodily force than were injured through the use of firearms. Wallets and purses were the most frequently taken items, followed by jewelry. Three-fourths of the victims were male, almost 58 percent were black, almost 60 percent were aged 21 to 40 years, and 7 out of 10 were city residents. Most robbers were young blacks who robbed other blacks in 54 percent of the cases. Almost three-fourths of the victims were robbed by strangers. Black males constituted 78 percent of these arrested, half of them under 25 years old. A total of 91 percent of these arrested were Atlanta residents. The clearance rate for such robberies was 27.4 percent. The average time from robbery to arrest was 30 days, and to disposition was 63 days. A total of 67 percent were found guilty, and the average sentence for armed robbers with no previous arrests was 1 to 2 years imprisonment. Tables, graphs, and a map are included. The number of open space robberies by street and block is appended along with comparative data. (Author summary modified)