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Crime Communication at Information Meetings

NCJ Number
168502
Journal
British Journal of Criminology Volume: 37 Issue: 1 Dated: (Winter 1997) Pages: 46-62
Author(s)
M Kuttschreuter; O Wiegman
Date Published
1997
Length
17 pages
Annotation
This article discusses information meetings as a strategy to increase knowledge of crime and to encourage preventive behavior.
Abstract
The article reports findings from an investigation of the effects of information meetings concerning residential burglary. The objective of the meetings was to increase knowledge of burglary in order to bring the fear of burglary more into line with the risks involved and to encourage adequate preventive behavior. Local police officers who specialized in crime prevention organized 33 information meetings on residential burglary and informed residents of relevant municipalities or neighborhoods. The police officers provided information about the magnitude and nature of burglary in the immediate environment, about effective preventive measures and about direct practical, financial and emotional support for victims. Emphasis was on information about specific preventive measures. Information disseminated and discussed at the meetings led to an increase in knowledge, outcome expectation and self-efficacy expectation and an intention to implement preventive behavior. Risk assessment and fear of burglary were not affected. Notes, figures, tables, references