Fear of Gang Crime: A Look at the Four Theoretical Models

Jodi Lane, University of Florida
James W. Meeker, University of California, Irvine

ABSTRACT
Researchers have developed four independent but connected theories to explain fear of crime. These theories are subcultural diversity/racial heterogeneity, incivilities, community concern, and indirect victimization. We use data from a 1997 random-digit-dial survey in Orange County, California to test the ability of these models to explain fear of gang crime (e.g., tagging, home invasion robbery, drive-by shooting). We employ structural equation models to explore both direct and indirect effects of the different theoretical variables on fear.

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Updated 05/20/2006