RT Article
T1 Understanding Drivers of Crime in East Baltimore: Resident Perceptions of Why Crime Persists
JF American journal of criminal justice
VO 41
IS 4
SP 686
OP 709
A1 Cantora, Andrea
A2 Iyer, Seema
A2 Restivo, Lauren
LA English
YR 2016
UL https://krimdok.uni-tuebingen.de/Record/1764207734
AB Urban neighborhoods are frequently associated with high rates of crime, unemployment, poor educational systems, poor housing conditions, and health related problems. Theories of social disorganization, social isolation, and broken windows all explain how and why social problems develop and persist within urban settings. Drawing on these theories, this study examines how residents perceive local community problems in an East Baltimore neighborhood. Eight focus groups were conducted with participants who live and/or work in the area to identify common neighborhood issues. Problems commonly identified were: the presence of physical disorder, issues related to crime and law enforcement, lack of employment opportunities, and limited youth activities. Embedded under many of these themes was the recognition that the neighborhood lacks collective efficacy to fix community problems and maintain social control. Implications for improving neighborhood disadvantage will be discussed.
K1 focus groups
K1 Qualitative Research
K1 Collective Efficacy
K1 Disorder
K1 Urban Crime
DO 10.1007/s12103-015-9314-6