Peter Tran

Abstract

With a population of over 200,000 and an average homicide rate of 18 to 20 per 100,000, Rochester remains a focal location for determining the most effective method for combating crime. Housing, community outreach, and street corner crackdowns are examples of criminal justice initiatives used in Rochester with the goal to improve quality of life, establish community relationships, and decrease crime. The objective of this research is to identify the effectiveness of housing, community outreach, and street corner crackdowns as crime prevention tools. Strengths and weaknesses of each criminal justice initiative are evaluated through crime analysis, crime mapping, regression analysis, and other research methods.

To conduct this study, each criminal justice initiative was examined through three different networks within the community. For example, housing was examined through Flower City’s Habitat for Humanity and their intervention area. Community outreach was evaluated through a nonprofit organization called Pathway to Peace and their operations. Finally, street corner crackdowns were assessed through Rochester Safe and Sound and their implementation of drug sweeps.

Crime analysis and crime mapping, geographic information systems (G.I.S.) along with other research methods were used to conduct the analysis, provide visual aids, and establish boundaries for the different approaches. Specific places, such as drug markets, rehabilitated houses, and neighborhoods where anti-violence initiatives are piloted, are joined together as tests of variation of crime over time and urban geography. The use of crime analysis and G.I.S. help determine if crime is effected by the criminal justice initiatives employed in the targeted location.

Overall, the goal is to determine if housing, community outreach, and street corner crackdowns are effective criminal justice initiatives and understand the strengths of weaknesses of each approach. The results of this analysis may lead to better policy in decreasing crime, improve community relationships, and determine which criminal justice initiative should be the focused of future efforts.

Library of Congress Subject Headings

Crime analysis--New York (State)--Rochester; Criminal justice, Administration of--New York (State)--Rochester--Evaluation

Publication Date

5-8-2015

Document Type

Thesis

Student Type

Graduate

Degree Name

Criminal Justice (MS)

Department, Program, or Center

Department of Criminal Justice (CLA)

Advisor

John McCluskey

Advisor/Committee Member

John Klofas

Advisor/Committee Member

Laverne McQuiller Williams

Comments

Physical copy available from RIT's Wallace Library at HV7936.C88 T73 2015

Campus

RIT – Main Campus

Plan Codes

CRIM-MS

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