Fear of Crime in Small Towns: The Case of Elazig in Turkey
Keywords:
Fear of crime, perception of security, worry about crime
Abstract
The prevailing trend in fear of crime research revolves around using data predominantly sourced from major cities in developed nations. Unfortunately, this particular method greatly limits the relevance and universality of these investigations when it comes to smaller urban areas and developing nations. The aim of this study is to fill that gap in the literature. It focuses on three key factors: demographic characteristics, prior victimization, and neighborhood structure. The study was conducted in Elazığ, Turkiye, with 430 participants. Survey questions included Likert-type items. Fear of Crime scale provided a score of 2.37, which is very close to the notion of “not worried.” Hypotheses are tested using the Independent Samples T-Test, ANOVA, and correlation tests. According to the results, fear of crime was found to be higher for female participants compared to males, for people with no formal education compared to people with higher education, for people with prior victimization compared to people with no prior victimization, and for people who perceive neighborhood unity compared to people who think otherwise.
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References
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25. Kruger, D. J., Hutchison, P., Monroe, M. G., Reischl, T., & Morrel-Samuels, S. (2007). Assault injury rates, social capital, and fear of neighborhood crime. Journal of Community Psychology, 35, 483–498.
26. Liska, A. E., Sanchirico, A., & Reed, M. D. (1988). Fear of Crime and Constrained Behavior Specifying and Estimating a Reciprocal Effects Model. Social Forces, 66(3), 827–837. https://doi.org/10.2307/2579577
27. Moore, S., & Shepherd, J. P. (2006). The cost of fear: shadow pricing the intangible costs of crime. Applied Economics, 38(3), 293-300.
28. Moore, S. & Shepherd, J. (2007). The Elements and Prevalence of Fear. The British Journal of Criminology, 47(1), 154–162. http://www.jstor.org/stable/23639493
29. Moore, M.H., Trojanowicz, R. C., & National Institute of, J. (1988). Policing & the fear of crime. Policing & The Fear Of Crime, 1-7.
30. Muratore, M.G. (2014). Victimization. In: Michalos, A.C. (eds) Encyclopedia of Quality of Life and Well-Being Research. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-0753-5_3156
31. Odabaşı, M. & Delice, M. (2014). Toplum Destekli Polislik biriminde çalışan personelin toplum destekli Polislik felsefesini algılama düzeyleri: Türk Polis teşkilatı örneği. Fırat Üniversitesi Sosyal Bilimler Dergisi, 24(1), 195.
32. Oh, G., Ren, L., & He, P. (2019). Social disorder and residence-based fear of crime: The differential mediating effects of police effectiveness. Journal of Criminal Justice, 63, 1-11. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcrimjus.2019.05.001
33. Pain, R. (2001). Gender, race, age and fear in the city. Urban Studies, 38,5–6, 899–913.
34. Porter, J.R., Rader, N.E. & Cossman, J.S. (2012). Social Disorganization and Neighborhood Fear: Examining the Intersection of Individual, Community, and County Characteristics, American Journal of Criminal Justice, 37, 229–245.
35. Reese, B. (2009). Determinants of the Fear of Crime: The Combined Effects of Country-Level Crime Intensity and Individual-Level Victimization Experience. International Journal of Sociology, 39(1), 62–75. http://www.jstor.org/stable/20628358
36. Roberts, J.V. (2001). Fear of Crime and Attitudes to Criminal Justice in Canada – A Review of Recent Trends, Ministry of the Solicitor-General Canada – Public Works and Government Services Canada, Ottawa.
37. Sacco, V. (2005). When Crime Waves, Sage Publications/Pine Forge Press: Thousand Oaks, CA.
38. Skogan, W.G. & Maxfield, M.G. (1981). Coping with crime: Individual and neighborhood reactions. Beverly Hills, CA: Sage Publications.
39. Smith, L.N. & Hill, G.D. (1991). Perceptions of Crime Seriousness and Fear of Crime. Sociological Focus, 24(4), 315–327. http://www.jstor.org/stable/20831596
40. Stanko, E. (1995). Women, crime, and fear. Annals of the American Academy of Political and Social Science, 539(1), 46-58.
41. Strandbygaard, S. K., Jones, A. K. S., Jensen, L. M. B., Nielsen, O. A., & Grönlund, B. (2020). Fear follows form: A study of the relationship between neighborhood type, income and fear of crime at train stations. Journal of Transport and Land Use, 13(1), 585–603. https://www.jstor.org/stable/26967260
42. Taylor, R.B. (2002). Fear of crime, social ties, and collective efficacy: Maybe masquerading measurement, maybe deja vu all over again. Justice Quarterly, 19, 773–792.
43. Truman, J.L. & Planty, M. (2012). Criminal victimization, 2011. Bureau of Justice Statistics Bulletin. Washington, DC: Office of Justice Programs
44. TSKB (2015). Piyasalarda Bugun (Money markets today). Retrieved on June 20, 2023 at https://www.tskb.com.tr/i/assets/document/pdf/tskb-ekonomi-ve-piyasalar-gunluk-bulten-GN220515.pdf
45. TÜİK (2013). Seçilmiş Göstergelerle Elazığ 2013. Retrieved on June 6, 2023 at https://fliphtml5.com/ifiv/bmvs/basic/51-100
46. TÜİK (2021). Turkiye Nufus ve Konut Sayimi, 2021. Retrieved on June 6, 2023 at https://data.tuik.gov.tr/Bulten/Index?p=Adrese-Dayali-Nufus-Kayit-Sistemi-Sonuclari-2021-45500
47. Uludağ, Ş. (2010). Vatandaşların Suç Korku (Güvenlik Endişesi) Seviyesine Etki Eden Faktörler ve Alınabilecek Önlemler: Malatya Örneği. Polis Bilimleri Dergisi, 12(1), pp: 1-28.
48. Vilalta, C. J. (2012). Fear of crime and home security systems. Police Practice and Research, 13, 4-14.
49. Warr, M. (1984). ‘Fear of victimisation: why are women and the elderly more afraid?’, Social Science Quarterly, 65, 681-94.
50. Wilson, J.Q. & Kelling, G. L. (1982). The police and neighborhood safety: Broken windows. The Atlantic Monthly, 29–38.
51. Wright, J. N. (1978). Bibliography on the fear of crime - mass media research and assorted subjects. NCJ 57126.
52. Wyant, B. R. (2008). Multilevel impacts of perceived incivilities and perceptions of crime risk on fear of crime: Isolating endogenous impacts. Journal of Research in Crime and Delinquency, 45, 39–64.
53. Zhang, F., Fan, Z., Kang, Y., Hu, Y., & Ratti, C. (2021). Perception bias: Deciphering a mismatch between urban crime and perception of safety. Landscape and Urban Planning, 207, 104003. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.landurbplan.2020.104003
2. Choi, J. (2019). Victimization, fear of crime, procedural injustice and inmate misconduct: An application of general strain theory in South Korea. International Journal of Law, Crime and Justice, 59, 100346. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijlcj.2019.100346
3. Cook, C. L. & Fox, K.A. (2011). Fear of Property Crime: Examining the Effects of Victimization, Vicarious Victimization, and Perceived Risk, Violence and Victims, 26, 684-700.
4. Cops, D., & Pleysier, S. (2011). “Doing Gender” in Fear of Crime: The Impact of Gender Identity on Reported Levels of Fear of Crime in Adolescents and Young Adults. The British Journal of Criminology, 51(1), 58–74. http://www.jstor.org/stable/23640337
5. CSGB (2015). Asgari Ucretin Net Hesabi (Calculation of the minimum monthly wage). Retrieved on June 20, 2023 at https://www.csgb.gov.tr/media/1233/2015_ikincialtiay.pdf
6. Delice, M. (2013). Halkın Bıçak ve Bıçakla İşlenen Suçlar Algısının Ölçülmesi: Erzurum İli Örneği. Adli Bilimler Dergisi, 12(2), 24-38.
7. Department of Justice, Equality and Reform (2009). Fear of Crime in Ireland and its Impact on Quality of Life. Retrieved on June 1, 2023, at https://www.drugsandalcohol.ie/12324/1/Fear_of_Crime_in_Ireland.pdf
8. Dolu, O., Uludağ, Ş. & Doğutaş, C. (2010). Suç Korkusu: Nedenleri, Sonuçları ve Güvenlik Politikaları. Ankara Üniversitesi SBF Dergisi, 65, 57-81.
9. Erkan, N. Ç. & Topcu, B. S. (2021). Gender-based differences in fear of crime in public spaces: An investigation of a safe district in Istanbul. Urbani Izziv, 32(2), 87–97. https://www.jstor.org/stable/27093722
10. Ferraro, K. (1995). Fear of Crime: Interpreting Victimization Risk. New York: State University of New York, Albany.
11. Ferraro, K. F. (1996). Women's fear of victimization: Shadow of sexual assault? Social Forces, 75, 667−690.
12. Ferraro, K. & LaGrange, R. (1992). “Are older people most afraid of crime? Reconsidering age differences in fear of victimisation”, Journal of Gerontology, 47 (5): 233-244.
13. Forde, D. R. (1993). Perceived crime, fear of crime, and walking alone at night. Psychological Reports, 73, 403–407.
14. Fukuyama, F. (1999). The great disruption. Human nature and the reconstitution of social order. London: Profile Books.
15. Garofalo, J. (1981). The fear of crime: Causes and consequences. Journal of Criminal Law and Criminology 72(2): 839–857.
16. Gökulu, G. (2011). Perceived Risk of Victimization and Fear of Crime: A Case Study of METU Students. Unpublished Doctoral Dissertation. Ankara: Middle East Technical University Graduate School of Social Sciences.
17. Huitt, W. (2007). Maslow's hierarchy of needs. Educational Psychology Interactive. Valdosta,
GA: Valdosta State University. Retrieved on May 18, 2023 at http://www.edpsycinteractive.org/topics/conation/maslow.html
18. Iadicola, P. (1986). Community Crime Control Strategies. Crime and Social Justice, 25, 140–165. http://www.jstor.org/stable/29766300
19. Karakuş, Ö. (2013). Suç korkusunun sosyolojik belirleyenleri: Sosyal sermaye mi? sosyal kontrol mü?. Eskişehir Osmangazi Üniversitesi Sosyal Bilimler Dergisi, 14(1), 1.
20. Karakuş Ö. & Başıbüyük, O. (2013). Suçun Karanlık Yüzü. Ankara: Karınca Yayınları.
21. Karakus, O., McGarrell, E.F., & Basibuyuk, O. (2010). Fear of Crime Among Citizens of Turkiye. Journal of Criminal Justice, 38(2), pp: 174-184.
22. Kedida, D. K. (2020). The Practices and Challenges of Community Policing in Reducing Crime: The Case of Adama City Administration. In B. K. Debela, G. Bouckaert, M. A. Warota, D. T. Gemechu, A. Hondeghem, T. Steen, & S. Troupin (Eds.), Public Administration in Ethiopia: Case Studies and Lessons for Sustainable Development (pp. 661–688). Leuven University Press. https://doi.org/10.2307/j.ctv19m65dr.32
23. Kline, R. B. (2005). Principles and practice of structural equation modeling, second edition (Methodology in the social sciences). New York: The Guilford Press.
24. Kohm, S. A. (2009). Spatial Dimensions of Fear in a High-Crime Community: Fear of Crime or Fear of Disorder? Canadian Journal of Criminology and Criminal Justice,51, 1-30.
25. Kruger, D. J., Hutchison, P., Monroe, M. G., Reischl, T., & Morrel-Samuels, S. (2007). Assault injury rates, social capital, and fear of neighborhood crime. Journal of Community Psychology, 35, 483–498.
26. Liska, A. E., Sanchirico, A., & Reed, M. D. (1988). Fear of Crime and Constrained Behavior Specifying and Estimating a Reciprocal Effects Model. Social Forces, 66(3), 827–837. https://doi.org/10.2307/2579577
27. Moore, S., & Shepherd, J. P. (2006). The cost of fear: shadow pricing the intangible costs of crime. Applied Economics, 38(3), 293-300.
28. Moore, S. & Shepherd, J. (2007). The Elements and Prevalence of Fear. The British Journal of Criminology, 47(1), 154–162. http://www.jstor.org/stable/23639493
29. Moore, M.H., Trojanowicz, R. C., & National Institute of, J. (1988). Policing & the fear of crime. Policing & The Fear Of Crime, 1-7.
30. Muratore, M.G. (2014). Victimization. In: Michalos, A.C. (eds) Encyclopedia of Quality of Life and Well-Being Research. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-0753-5_3156
31. Odabaşı, M. & Delice, M. (2014). Toplum Destekli Polislik biriminde çalışan personelin toplum destekli Polislik felsefesini algılama düzeyleri: Türk Polis teşkilatı örneği. Fırat Üniversitesi Sosyal Bilimler Dergisi, 24(1), 195.
32. Oh, G., Ren, L., & He, P. (2019). Social disorder and residence-based fear of crime: The differential mediating effects of police effectiveness. Journal of Criminal Justice, 63, 1-11. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcrimjus.2019.05.001
33. Pain, R. (2001). Gender, race, age and fear in the city. Urban Studies, 38,5–6, 899–913.
34. Porter, J.R., Rader, N.E. & Cossman, J.S. (2012). Social Disorganization and Neighborhood Fear: Examining the Intersection of Individual, Community, and County Characteristics, American Journal of Criminal Justice, 37, 229–245.
35. Reese, B. (2009). Determinants of the Fear of Crime: The Combined Effects of Country-Level Crime Intensity and Individual-Level Victimization Experience. International Journal of Sociology, 39(1), 62–75. http://www.jstor.org/stable/20628358
36. Roberts, J.V. (2001). Fear of Crime and Attitudes to Criminal Justice in Canada – A Review of Recent Trends, Ministry of the Solicitor-General Canada – Public Works and Government Services Canada, Ottawa.
37. Sacco, V. (2005). When Crime Waves, Sage Publications/Pine Forge Press: Thousand Oaks, CA.
38. Skogan, W.G. & Maxfield, M.G. (1981). Coping with crime: Individual and neighborhood reactions. Beverly Hills, CA: Sage Publications.
39. Smith, L.N. & Hill, G.D. (1991). Perceptions of Crime Seriousness and Fear of Crime. Sociological Focus, 24(4), 315–327. http://www.jstor.org/stable/20831596
40. Stanko, E. (1995). Women, crime, and fear. Annals of the American Academy of Political and Social Science, 539(1), 46-58.
41. Strandbygaard, S. K., Jones, A. K. S., Jensen, L. M. B., Nielsen, O. A., & Grönlund, B. (2020). Fear follows form: A study of the relationship between neighborhood type, income and fear of crime at train stations. Journal of Transport and Land Use, 13(1), 585–603. https://www.jstor.org/stable/26967260
42. Taylor, R.B. (2002). Fear of crime, social ties, and collective efficacy: Maybe masquerading measurement, maybe deja vu all over again. Justice Quarterly, 19, 773–792.
43. Truman, J.L. & Planty, M. (2012). Criminal victimization, 2011. Bureau of Justice Statistics Bulletin. Washington, DC: Office of Justice Programs
44. TSKB (2015). Piyasalarda Bugun (Money markets today). Retrieved on June 20, 2023 at https://www.tskb.com.tr/i/assets/document/pdf/tskb-ekonomi-ve-piyasalar-gunluk-bulten-GN220515.pdf
45. TÜİK (2013). Seçilmiş Göstergelerle Elazığ 2013. Retrieved on June 6, 2023 at https://fliphtml5.com/ifiv/bmvs/basic/51-100
46. TÜİK (2021). Turkiye Nufus ve Konut Sayimi, 2021. Retrieved on June 6, 2023 at https://data.tuik.gov.tr/Bulten/Index?p=Adrese-Dayali-Nufus-Kayit-Sistemi-Sonuclari-2021-45500
47. Uludağ, Ş. (2010). Vatandaşların Suç Korku (Güvenlik Endişesi) Seviyesine Etki Eden Faktörler ve Alınabilecek Önlemler: Malatya Örneği. Polis Bilimleri Dergisi, 12(1), pp: 1-28.
48. Vilalta, C. J. (2012). Fear of crime and home security systems. Police Practice and Research, 13, 4-14.
49. Warr, M. (1984). ‘Fear of victimisation: why are women and the elderly more afraid?’, Social Science Quarterly, 65, 681-94.
50. Wilson, J.Q. & Kelling, G. L. (1982). The police and neighborhood safety: Broken windows. The Atlantic Monthly, 29–38.
51. Wright, J. N. (1978). Bibliography on the fear of crime - mass media research and assorted subjects. NCJ 57126.
52. Wyant, B. R. (2008). Multilevel impacts of perceived incivilities and perceptions of crime risk on fear of crime: Isolating endogenous impacts. Journal of Research in Crime and Delinquency, 45, 39–64.
53. Zhang, F., Fan, Z., Kang, Y., Hu, Y., & Ratti, C. (2021). Perception bias: Deciphering a mismatch between urban crime and perception of safety. Landscape and Urban Planning, 207, 104003. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.landurbplan.2020.104003
Published
2023-08-31
How to Cite
Cinoglu, H., & Odabasi, M. (2023). Fear of Crime in Small Towns: The Case of Elazig in Turkey. European Scientific Journal, ESJ, 19(23), 1. https://doi.org/10.19044/esj.2023.v19n23p1
Section
ESJ Humanities
Copyright (c) 2023 Huseyin Cinoglu, Mehmet Odabasi
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
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