CJA 323 Week 3

Learning Team Assignment: Neighborhood Watch Research Study Paper

Read the following: A small suburb of a large metropolitan area has implemented a neighborhood watch program. The mayor has asked you to determine if the program is having any effect on complaints received about suspicious behavior, deviant behavior, and crime.

Write a 1,750- to 2,800-word paper, addressing the scenario.

Structure your paper as a research study to answer the mayors concerns. Address the following elements:

Explain why you selected this design.

Choose one or more criminological theories that support neighborhood watch programs. Explain how the theory supports such programs.

Develop one or more hypotheses and operationalize the concepts.

Format your paper according to APA standards.

Discussion Questions

How might the presence of numerous broken windows in a neighborhood influence the level of crime in that neighborhood? Explain your answer.

Describe how an individual becomes a criminal according to the theories of Howard Becker. What role does society play in this process? Do you agree with this scenario? Why or why not?

According to studies of Laub and Sampson, what life events are especially important in reducing the likelihood that a person will commit crimes? Why do you think these events have this effect of reducing criminal behavior?