NCJ Number
29776
Journal
Social Forces Volume: 54 Issue: 1 Dated: (SEPTEMBER 1975) Pages: 226-242
Date Published
1975
Length
17 pages
Annotation
AN EXAMINATION OF THE MUNICIPAL CRIME REPORTS OF SOUTHERN AND NONSOUTHERN CITIES SHOW A GENERAL CONVERGENCE OF CRIME TRENDS OVER A TWENTY YEAR PERIOD.
Abstract
USING ANNUAL DATA FROM 1951-70, FOR 467 U.S. CITIES, THIS STUDY REEXAMINES THE EXTENT TO WHICH REPORTED CRIME OFFENSES BETWEEN THE SOUTH AND NON-SOUTH CONTINUE TO MANIFEST REGIONAL DIFFERENCES. ALTERNATIVE STRUCTURALIST AND NORMATIVE HYPOTHESES ARE EVALUATED WITH RESPECT TO BOTH PROPERTY AND PERSONAL CRIMES. THE DATA GENERALLY SUPPORT A STRUCTURAL INTERPRETATION OF CONVERGING CRIME TRENDS WITH SOME LAG AMONG SELECTED PERSON CRIME CATEGORIES. THE EFFECTS OF CENSUS REGIONS AND STATES ARE ALSO EXAMINED, AND HERE THE DATA TENTATIVELY INDICATE A SMALL BUT POTENTIALLY INCREASING STATE EFFECT. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT)