Running head: NEIGHBORHOOD DISORDER AND CRIME
Neighborhood Disorder and Crime
October 18, 2008
Neighborhood Disorder and Crime
The relationship between Neighborhood disorder and crime has been the focus of a contentious debate in criminology and policing. Previous findings suggested that individuals who report that they live in neighborhoods characterized by social and physical disorder –by crime, vandalism, graffiti, danger, noise, dirt, and drugs- have high levels of adult depression (Ross and Mirowsky 2001) The daily stress related to living in a neighborhood with social and physical disorder is offset for residents who receive social support and maintain neighborhood social ties. (J & J, 2007, p. 1)
Neighborhood disorder has been linked to declines in individual health and well-being. (Sampson & Raudenbush, unknown, p. 1)By these accounts, residents read signs of disorder as evidence of deeper neighborhood dejection; as a consequence, the incidence of physical ailments, depression, psychological stress, and perceived powerlessness rises.
“A stable neighborhood of families who care for their homes, mind each other’s children, and confidently frown on unwanted intruders can change, in a few years or even a few months, to an inhospitable and frightening jungle A piece of property is abandoned, weeds grow up, a window is smashed. Adults stop scolding rowdy children; the children, emboldened, become more rowdy. Families move out, unattached adults move in. Teenagers gather in front of the corner store. The merchant asks them to move; they refuse. Fights occur. Litter accumulates. People start drinking in front of the grocery; in time, an inebriate slumps to the sidewalk and is allowed to sleep it off. Pedestrians are approached by panhandlers.” (Sampson & Raudenbush, unknown year)
Superficial neighborhood disorder and social ties significantly interact: informal social ties with neighbors reduce the fear- and mistrust-producing...