NCJ Number
12312
Date Published
1973
Length
150 pages
Annotation
SURVEY OF THE EXTENT OF CRIMINAL ACTIVITY IN SEATTLE AND CONCERNS OF VICTIMS AND NON-VICTIMS, INCLUDING RATIONALES FOR THE NON-REPORTING OF CRIMES.
Abstract
THE INITIAL SECTION OF THIS PUBLICATION EXAMINES THE STUDY BACKGROUND, INCLUDING METHODOLOGY, CHARACTERISTICS OF RESPONDENTS, AND POTENTIAL BIAS FROM NEWS EVENTS. THE FOLLOWING CHAPTERS DISCUSS OPINION SURVEY RESULTS, GENERATIONAL DIFFERENCES IN PUBLIC OPINION, AND VICTIMIZATION SURVEY RESULTS ON SPECIFIC OFFENSES. PUBLIC CONCERNS WERE NOTED WITH RESPECT TO PERSONAL SAFETY, PROPERTY SECURITY, SELF PROTECTION, RESIDENTIAL STABILITY AND CRIME, NEIGHBORHOODS SECURITY, POLICE AND COURT ACTIVITIES AND FUNCTIONS, VICTIMLESS CRIMES, AND CORRECTIONS AND REINTEGRATION. AN OVERVIEW IS PROVIDED ON THE CHARACTERISTICS OF VICTIMS, THE CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE OFFENSE, VICTIM LOSSES, CRIMINAL JUSTICE RESPONSE TO OFFICIAL REPORTS, AND THE REASONS FOR NOT REPORTING OFFENSES TO THE POLICE. TWO OUT OF EVERY THREE CRIMES WERE NOT REPORTED TO THE POLICE. THE TWO MAJOR REASONS WERE THAT POLICE ACTION WOULD BE INEFFECTIVE, AND THAT IT WAS A PRIVATE, NOT CRIMINAL MATTER. SURVEY STATISTICS ARE INCLUDED. THE APPENDIX CONTAINS SAMPLES OF THE OPINION AND VICTIMIZATION SURVEYS, AS WELL AS CRIME SPECIFIC QUESTION CARDS. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED)