Problem-oriented policing in public housing: The Jersey City evaluation

Trailer Parks as Hotbeds of Crime: Fact or Fiction?

“…While many of these residents own their living spaces, by not being responsible for the property or the infrastructure of the park, the problems and expenses common to traditional home ownership are greatly reduced. Social disorganization theory supports idea that those residing in public or low-income housing are traditionally more of a problem for law enforcement agencies and the surrounding neighborhoods (Holtzman, et al, 2005;Mazerolle et al, 2000). Place-based theories of crime, such as routine activity theory (Cohen & Felson, 1979;Eck & Weisburd, 1995;Cornish & Clarke, 1986) would support the idea that low income housing would have higher crime rates than private residential housing since the lack of ownership might result in the residents caring less or being less vigilant with their surroundings, allowing disorder to both originate and persist.…”

“…These analyses seek to answer two specific questions: what is the relative extent of criminality in and around the trailer park environment, and how do these environments compare with other housing sites in the same city? Past research has typically focused upon public housing structures which resemble massive, multi-storied buildings and house thousands of residents in each complex (Holtzman, 1996;Mazerolle, Ready, Terrill, & Waring, 2000). In contrast, this research will examine smaller low income housing sites and compare them to both the aforementioned mobile home/trailer parks, and selected traditional single-family housing areas using GIS maps to select the data, analyses of variance to compare the areas in question, and t-tests to compare specific offense types across areas.…”

Putting POP to the pavement: captains in the Charlotte–Mecklenburg Police Department share their experiences

“…This research found that all crime categories were reduced in the problem-oriented policing areas when compared with the control group (Braga et al, 1999). Similar research on POP efforts aimed at drug and violent crime problems in public housing in New Jersey found that there was a reduction for calls for service in robberies, assaults, domestic assaults, burglaries and auto thefts due to the POP efforts (Mazerolle et al, 2000).…”

“…Braga et al, 1999;Mazerolle, Ready, Terrill, & Waring, 2000;Kennedy, Braga, Waring, & Piehl, 2001) have shown that POP is effective in addressing crime and community problems. The Center for Problem-Oriented Policing has also put forth approximately 60 guides to aid police departments in applying POP strategies to specific problems (www.popcenter.org).…”

Community Policing in Post‐September 11 America: A Comment on the Concept of Community‐Oriented Counterterrorism1

“…Obviously, as this approach has not been tried and tested, there is no evidence to indicate it will work. There are, however, numerous studies which have documented the value of good relations between the police and the community (e.g., Glensor & Peak, 1998;Mazerolle, Ready, Terrill, & Waring, 2000). In addition, as heretofore discussed, there is an abundance of evidence which suggests that combative law enforcement tactics often do more harm than good, that aggressive counterterrorism tactics have failed to reduce terrorist activities, and that combative ideologies encourage the unconscionable treatment of human beings.…”