Date of Award

5-1-2007

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts (MA)

Department

Criminology and Criminal Justice

First Advisor

Dr. Lisa Sample

Abstract

This research replicates the earlier work of Roncek, Bell, and Francik (1981) that found public housing blocks in Cleveland, Ohio had higher index crime rates than non-public housing blocks and that these blocks affected crime rates of blocks throughout the entire city. The current thesis utilizes t-tests for differences of means and regression analysis to determine whether similar results can be found in Omaha, Nebraska with respect to the crime of robbery. The research is framed within the social disorganization perspective and the routine activities theory. The findings indicate public housing blocks in Omaha have higher incidences of robbery than non-public housing blocks, mostly driven by the higher occurrence of robbery on blocks with low-rise development property versus high-rise tower property. Blocks adjacent to public housing blocks experienced no spillover effects. Implications for future research and policy implications stemming from the research are addressed.

Comments

A Thesis Presented to the School of Criminology and Criminal Justice and the Faculty of the Graduate College University of Nebraska In Partial Fulfillment Of the Requirements for the Degree Master of Arts University of Nebraska at Omaha. Copyright Liddie M. Thompson May, 2007.

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