NCJ Number
178494
Journal
International Journal of Police Science & Management Volume: 2 Issue: 1 Dated: June 1999 Pages: 54-77
Date Published
1999
Length
21 pages
Annotation
This paper evaluates the impact of neighborhood watch programs (NWPs) on the 14 precincts of the Taipei, Taiwan, Metropolitan Police Department with regard to crime rates, 911 emergency calls, citizen feelings of safety, community support, crime prevention, and police-community relations.
Abstract
The four independent variables of interest were number of NWPs in each police precinct, precinct characteristics, police officer participation in NWPs, and police officer degree of support for NWPs. Ordinary least square regression techniques were used to analyze data collected from official sources and a survey of 1,631 Taiwanese police officers. Police officers indicated NWPs reduced drug, juvenile, and total crimes. The number of NWPs was negatively related to drug and juvenile crimes but was positively related to burglary and the number of 911 emergency calls. The implementation of NWPs, however, did not significantly affect violent, minor, robbery, and total crimes. The authors conclude that policies regarding NWPs in Taiwan must be consistent with theoretical principles and values of the community policing philosophy and that more research should be conducted to assess citizen and police administrator opinions of NWPs. 58 references and 8 tables