Case Studies in Reducing Violent Crime and Disorder

Violence and disorder in public places are most visible and therefore often the most worrisome crimes. The chapter begins by briefly overviewing the effects of violence and disorder on society at large. Few experimental studies have measured and reported the effect of situational measures on these crimes. A selection of case studies is presented in this chapter which exemplify how physical and social aspects of some dangerous and fear􀄼provoking places can be managed to change both their functioning and perception, thus reducing the high risk of violence and disorder while reducing associated levels of fear and anxiety. The chapter concludes by stressing the importance of context-appropriate place management practices for effective functioning of a place and advocates the need for evaluative experimental studies that support situational prevention of violence and disorder beyond mere anecdotal evidence.