| This paper reports on the results of a qualitative community case study. We set out to gain some sort of interpretive understanding of a neighborhood watch group--the "River Park Neighborhood Association (RPNA)--in the small mid-western community of "River Park," Iowa. Our original research question involved understanding how rural crime led to collective community action in a small rural community. We decided that it was unusual for a town like River Park, with low crime, to have a crime watch group. The total sample consists of 22 people--6 neighborhood association members, 9 "regular citizens," and 7 city officials. Using semi-structured interviews, we found that both RPNA members and non-members were not very fearful of crime, nor did they perceive a high risk of being the victim of a crime in their town. however, the members were noticeably more generally concerned with crime. Official data shows a very low objective crime rate. Further, members seemed to have a heightened sensitivity to signs of incivility present in their town--run-down buildings, graffiti, children wearing "gang-colored" clothing, etc., and performed many community improvement activities. We explain the CLNA's collective action as a defense of an ideal sense of place more than a direct effort to reduce crime. |
Updated 05/20/2006