Degree

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Department

Sociology

Document Type

Dissertation

Abstract

Many studies have explored the predictors of fear of crime and trust in the police, but few have examined the role of neighborhood segregation and collective resources such as social trust and civic engagement. Segregation perpetuates racial inequality and creates neighborhoods with high levels of disadvantage, unemployment, and crime, which are all associated with higher fear of crime, while collective resources have been linked with various neighborhood outcomes including lower crime. This study investigates how neighborhood segregation and collective resources are associated with fear of crime, how these factors relate to trust in the police, and how these relationships shift during major events like natural disasters. The findings reveal that collective resources withing neighborhoods are associated with shaping trust, showing that communities with strong social ties and civic engagement generally have more positive views of law enforcement. However, trust in the police becomes even more complex in the context of disasters, with civic engagement being linked to lower trust in the police. This highlights the need for fair policing practices and improved communication during crises to enhance community resilience and cooperation. Overall, this dissertation research contributes to a better understanding of the predictors of fear of crime and trust in the police, emphasizing the importance of addressing segregation and its consequences as well as the importance of building collective resources to create safer, more inclusive communities

Date

8-9-2024

Committee Chair

Michael Barton

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Available for download on Tuesday, September 09, 2031

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