BLOCK ASSOCIATIONS, CRIME, AND THE POLICE (NEW YORK).
Item
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Title
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BLOCK ASSOCIATIONS, CRIME, AND THE POLICE (NEW YORK).
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Identifier
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AAI8801772
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identifier
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8801772
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Creator
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TUMELTY, SUSANNE M.
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Contributor
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Charles Kadushin
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Date
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1987
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Language
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English
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Publisher
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City University of New York.
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Subject
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Sociology, Criminology and Penology
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Abstract
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This study looks at the structure of block associations in New York City. We examined their structure, their role in community crime prevention, and the relationship between these community groups and the police.;Interviews were conducted with the presidents of 97 block associations in four boroughs of New York City; Manhattan, Queens, Bronx, and Brooklyn. It was expected that approximately 450 presidents of block associations would be interviewed for the study. However, the first finding, which was serendipitous, was that these grass roots voluntary associations (block associations) do not last for a very long time. We were able to conclude that at least 45% of the associations on our master list of block associations do not exist. This was a concern to the study to the extent that longevity is related to the stability of the association. However, we recognize that there are other significant implications for this issue of non-existent associations.;We also concluded that, contrary to current theory, the longevity and stability of block associations are not related to a bureaucratic structure, but rather to the activities and role of the founder of the organization and to the levels of skills possessed by the members of the association.;As for crime, we concluded that nothing that is done by block associations has an impact on the objective crime rate. However, peoples' perceptions of crime and personal safety are significantly effected by the social context of the neighborhood. People in good neighborhoods feel safer and perceive a lower level of crime. As for the role of the police in the community, it is the quality of the relationship between the police and the community that is important. In addition, having an active police presence in the community organization is likely to make people feel safer than circumstances warrant.;We question the effectiveness of the victimization approach since it does not appear to reduce crime.
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Type
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dissertation
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Source
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PQT Legacy CUNY.xlsx
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degree
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Ph.D.
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Program
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Sociology
