Fear of Crime among Arab Americans in Flint Area Communities

• In Event: Fear of Crime in Different Places

Abstract

This study examines fear of crime among Arab Americans. Previous research has consistently revealed that fear of crime is not evenly distributed across populations; vulnerable groups have greater fear of crime than others. Minority and foreign born populations regularly demonstrate many unique relationships with important social factors based on extant fear of crime research. Based on survey data collected from a total of 1,433 participants, 187 of whom self-identified as Arab American, this study explores the fear of crime among Arab Americans, one of the largest and socially and politically marginalized immigrant populations found in Flint, Michigan and the surrounding communities. In spite of the large body of literature focused on fear of crime, relatively little is known about fear of crime within immigrant communities such as the Arab American communities in and around Flint, MI. This metropolitan area is of particular interest due to Flint being consistently ranked as one of the most dangerous cities in the United States. This work relies on two quantitative datasets from the Speak to Your Health Community Survey Project funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Authors

• Kenneth E. Jackson, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee

• Daniel J. Kruger, University of Michigan