Fear of crime: Real-time crime data impact on college students

• In Event: Poster Session

Abstract

Various factors associated with fear of crime have been widely assessed. Gender, education, age, victimization, and media consumption have been found to affect an individual's fear of crime level significantly. One factor that has not been widely examined is the impact of real-time crime data and fear of crime. Police scanners, police apps, and social media groups have been developed for citizens to listen in on police radio/scanners. An abundant number of social media groups and phone applications provide citizens with an ongoing crime in their neighborhood. The study examines the significance of individuals who subscribe to the police scanners and whether their fear of crime level is impacted. Binomial logistic regression indicates that individuals who are members of police scanner groups or have installed police scanner apps have higher fear of crime and are more likely to perceive social disorder within their neighborhood.

Authors

• David Kim, Indiana University East

• Heeuk Dennis Lee, Weber State University