The Effect of a Controlled Perimeter Security System on Crime
Abstract
The proliferation of gated residential communities in the United States has generated social criticism, but research to assess the expected crime prevention effect of the perimeter security systems featured in these communities has been lacking. This paper assessed the effect of a perimeter security system on residential crime at a major military installation through a static group comparison with another installation that permitted open access to civilian traffic. Two years of crime incident reports were analyzed to determine the frequency of crime occurring on the bases that was perpetrated by outsiders. It was hypothesized, based upon situational crime prevention theory, that crime would be lower for the controlled access installation. It was found that crime rates were insufficient to test the hypothesis. Descriptive analysis of the incident reports suggested that simple assaults and DUI offenses were related to the operation of controlled access gates, but it was not clear that the presence of manned security gates prevented these offenses.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 18, 2001
- Accession Number
- ADA387298
Entities
People
- Martin L. Rothrock
Organizations
- Air Force Institute of Technology