project 5

Fear of Crime

The fear of crime is highest among women of relatively higher income; it is lowest among men of relatively low income. On the 5 respondents, 2 were females while three were males, the two females and one male were in higher income bracket, while the two males were in relatively lower income bracket. The one male in higher income bracket ranked recession as a concerning problem.

Variation in fear of crime

The fear of crime is depicted by the responses; however, it is subjective based on the existing social problems, the gravity of the crime and the comparison of the crime with other social ills (Chapman, Mirrlees-Black, & Brawn 2002). The respondents noted that among the social problems affecting them they are more concerned about recession compared to crime. The response explains why the fear of crime is subjective and depends on the existing social problems.

When crime is isolated from other social ills, the respondents feel that the sources of information are biased against some races. However, the perception of bias is based on the ethnicity of the respondents. African America and Hispanic respondents felt that crime reports are biased. They also felt that the police are not fear in dealing with people of all ethnicities. The information highlights the distrust that exists between people of some races and the criminal justice system. In line with this they noted that the police are reliable when called upon.

The respondents noted that in order to reduce crime in the neighborhood, the criminal justice system should focus on increasing rehabilitation projects in community. The recommendation aligns with the perception that crime arise because of drug abuse. 80 % of respondents noted that they would pay tax to support programs that reduce crime such as education and drug rehabilitation programs.

Questions to word differently

The questions that would be worded differently include; during the last 12 months has any acquaintance experienced murder, robbery, burglary, rape, or assault. In this question, I would explain the difference between burglary and robbery. Robbery occurs when there is a direct confrontation of the offender and the victim with the aim of a valuable assets using intimidation, threats or force. On the other hand, burglary occurs when a person enters a building with the intention of committing theft.

Questions to eliminate

The question that I would avoid is; during the last 6 months, has any acquaintance or relative been a victim of crime. Respondents who have not experienced directly or indirectly any incident of crime avoided the question.

Limitations of the Study

The study has limitations; the first is the small sample size. A sample size of 5 respondents is not representative of the population in the neighborhood. Secondly, the findings of the study are not reliable because of biased study area, the respondents were co-workers belonging to the same socio-economic status; therefore, the answers responses were limited in perception. In order to address the limitation, the respondents should be picked from various socio-economic backgrounds.

Application of the Findings

The findings of the study are useful to the social workers and the criminal justice system. In relation to social work, it informs of the social problems that lead to increase in crime. In relation to the criminal justice system, the perceptions about the criminal justice system are highlighted. Importantly, the system may change the way it handles crime in order to reduce its incidence.

References

Chapman, B., Mirrlees-Black, C and Brawn, C (2002). Improving Public Attitude to the Criminal Justice System: The Impact of Information. Web. Accessed on 17/5/2020

Appendix 1: Delivery of survey and choice of wording

The survey will be delivered manually because the sample size is small.

The questions are appropriate for the study because it focuses on the attitude towards crime in the society. The questions use simple words for ease of understanding □

respondent 1respondent 2respondent 3respondent 4respondent 5

1. what is your main source of information about crime. Click where appropriate

Radio

Personal experience

Television

Word of mouth

Relatives and acquaintances

Community meetings

Internet

Books

Government websites

2: Rank the sources of information on crime in terms of reliability

Radio

Personal experience

Television

Word of mouth

Relatives and acquaintances

Community meetings

Internet

Books

Government websites

3: do you think your perception of crime in your neighborhood is a problem that

Yes

No

4: Rank the following social problems based on which one concerns you most

Pollution

Diseases

Homelessness

Crime

Recession

5: do you think crime rate has changed?if yes in which direction

Yes □

No □

Reduced □

Increased □

6: What is your perception about the future of crime rate in your neighborhood

It would increase

It would stay constant

It would decrease

7: Specifically, which type of crime is common in your neighborhood

Burglary

Sexual assault

Physical assaults

Drug rated crime

Fraud

Traffic crime

8: Which type of crime do you fear most

Burglary

Sexual assault

Physical assaults

Drug rated crime

Fraud

Traffic crime

9: Is there a place within your neighborhoods where your would fear to walk beca

yes

No

10: In your opinion what are the major causes of crime

Poor education □

Poor parenting □

Poverty □

Unemployment □

Drugs □

Family issues □

Others (Please specify).

11: Based on the selected cause of crime above, would you pay tax to support c

Yes would support □

No would not support □

12: what is the ethnic /racial distribution of criminals based on your info?

Whites are more □

Africans are more □

Asians are more □

Hispanics are more □

13: To what extent do you disagree or agree with the following statements

(strongly agree,agree,neither agree or disagree,disagree,strongly disagree)

The police are fair in treating all races/ ethnicities fairly

The police are reliable when called upon

14: Do you think prisons give offenders the needed help to stop engaging in cri

Yes

No

15. has any acquaintance or relative been a victim of crime recently

Yes

No

16 If yes, which type of crime?

Violent crime such as; rape, murder, assault or kidnap □

Property crime such as; forgery, burglary with weapon, theft

17: Do you think the criminal justice system treats all crime suspects fairly?

Yes

No

18: What is the most important aspect that criminal justice system should do in

Bring more offenders to justice □

Speed the delivery of justice □

Prevent crime□

Increase availability of rehabilitation projects in community □

19: Do you oppose or favor intensive supervision of offenders who were under in

Strongly oppose □

Oppose □

Favor □

Strongly favor □

20: Do you think your perception of crime reflect the public opinion about crime

Yes

No

21: What is your perception about sentencing in reducing crime?

It is somewhat effective □

It is effective □

It is not effective □

22: Has there been a change in information regarding crime from

Yes

No

23: Have you ever interacted with the criminal justice system?

Yes

No

24: How would you describe your contact with the criminal justice system (It inc

Negative □

Very Negative □

Neither negative nor positive □

Positive □

Very positive □

25: Supposing the economic situation improved in terms of salary increment; do

Not really □

Yes □

Not sure □