Reacting to crime and disorder in inner -city neighborhoods: Processes, mechanisms, and the functioning of fear and of other reactions to crime

The purpose of this work is to offer a naturalistic approach to fear and other reactions to crime in order to provide an understanding of the mechanisms, processes, and the functioning of these reactions. This study examines the relationship between fear and crime by situating this relationship within the contexts in which it emerges: In the words of those who experience these phenomena, within the broad scope of their everyday lives, and in their areas of residence, inner-city neighborhoods, where crime and related problems are very visible. A group of 69 welfare recipients, randomly selected from a sample of Chicago residents, was interviewed, at two different points in time, regarding experiences of their areas of residence, as well as experiences with, and reactions to, local crime and related problems. The semi-structured interviews were conducted in a conversational style in the neighborhoods of residence of the participants, and interviewers took extensive field notes on these neighborhoods. A grounded theory approach was applied to both interviews and field observations. Results suggest that reactions to crime and disorder depend on distinct types of relationships established with these problems. Fear is not the most prevalent reaction to crime; anger and, most commonly, a sense of safety emerge too, even when crime and related problems exist. Fear appears dissociated from neighborhood conditions and related with sources other than crime or similar problems. Precautionary behaviors are enacted to ensure everyday courses of action and do not seem to "imprison" residents in their homes. The processes uncovered in this analysis suggest that crime and related phenomena are not fear-inspiring when they are integrated and understood within a system of life. However, common crimes and disorders appear to justify and legitimize other fears. Based on these conclusions, some reflections on policies are offered, in particular, the seeming advantages of integrating, rather than accentuating and problematizing, crimes and similar phenomena within the scope of everyday life as a way to reduce fear.