Fear of Crime Out West: Determinants of Fear of Property and Violent Crime in Five States

Abstract

Fear of crime research has been around for decades, and many studies of its extent, nature, and consequences have been published. In this study, we build upon existing research to examine the effects of vulnerability, disorder/incivilities, social cohesion, prior victimization, and perceptions of police upon fear of property crime and fear of violent crime. Using data from a random mail survey of residents from five different states, the current study offers a view of the determinants of fear of crime within an often overlooked population—residents of the Western United States. Results support leading theories of fear of crime, finding that women, perceptions of disorder/incivilities, perceptions of social cohesion, prior victimization, and assessments of police quality of service each influence fear of crime. Findings also suggest that the determinants of fear of crime vary somewhat according to crime type.

Fear of crime examined through diversity of crime, social inequalities, and social capital: An empirical evaluation in Peru

“…On the contrary, non-organic measures require less of these inputs and include private closed-circuit television, private security guards, and the installation of fences or barricades to block streets. Between the two, the latter presents a stronger association with FOC, which is in line with recent studies on fear, social capital, and related concepts such as trust (Barton et al., 2016) and collective efficacy (H. Lee et al., 2020; M.…”

“…Between the two, the latter presents a stronger association with FOC, which is in line with recent studies on fear, social capital, and related concepts such as trust (Barton et al., 2016) and collective efficacy (H. Lee et al., 2020; M. Lee et al., 2020).…”

“…Previous literature, which did not include these three types of victimization, presents mixed results. Some studies found that violent victimization is not significantly associated with FOC (H. Lee et al., 2020), while others stated that FOC is more likely to appear when individuals are asked to reflect on crimes against persons (Chataway & Hart, 2017). In addition, a recent study found that direct and indirect victimizations affect FOC (Hernández, 2017), while H. Lee et al.…”

“…Some studies found that violent victimization is not significantly associated with FOC (H. Lee et al., 2020), while others stated that FOC is more likely to appear when individuals are asked to reflect on crimes against persons (Chataway & Hart, 2017). In addition, a recent study found that direct and indirect victimizations affect FOC (Hernández, 2017), while H. Lee et al. (2020) found that both forms of victimization predict dysfunctional worry of crime (fear that motivates precaution without affecting quality of life), but not functional worries (difficulties with stop worrying, mood disturbance, and daily functioning affected).…”

“…In the multi-country study of Chon and Wilson (2014), in which some Latin American countries such as Peru were included, socioeconomic status at the individual level was significantly and negatively associated with FOC, but income inequality and poverty at the national level was not. Other studies have found that income has a positive and significant relationship with different fears of crime (H. Lee et al., 2020).…”