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Reactions to Fear - Indirect Costs and Adaptive Behaviors

NCJ Number
82434
Author(s)
M G Maxfield
Date Published
1977
Length
41 pages
Annotation
Findings are presented from a study that examined the relationship between fear of crime and certain hypothesized reactive behaviors using data from surveys in Portland, Ore., Kansas City, and Cincinnati.
Abstract
Reactive responses hypothesized as stemming from fear of crime are (1) avoidance (limiting mobility according to perceptions of victimization risks), (2) target hardening (adding locks on doors, burglar alarms, etc.), (3) purchasing of weapons, (4) purchase of theft insurance, (5) organized collective response (participation in organized crime prevention programs), (6) changing residence because of perceived crime threat, and (7) voicing complaints against public officials believed responsible for not countering crime. Avoidance behavior and complaints against public officials were found to be the only hypothesized behaviors significantly related to fear of crime. What increase there is in reported fortification of property is generally the less expensive modifications, such as installing additional locks. Relationships between fear of crime and weapons ownership are inconsistent, with some evidence that those feeling safer are more likely to have weapons. Similarly, those feeling most safe are more likely to have theft insurance. The hypothesis derived from the findings is that the more costly responses to crime are more common in affluent areas, while the less costly responses, such as avoidance behavior, are more common in lower income areas and in areas where the perceived threat of crime is greater. Tabular data and 14 references are provided.