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Article
Publication date: 1 October 2003

Gordon Hughes

This article traces the development of ideas and policies linked to the shifting definitions of crime reduction, prevention and community safety. The conceptual changes are often…

Abstract

This article traces the development of ideas and policies linked to the shifting definitions of crime reduction, prevention and community safety. The conceptual changes are often difficult to define due to imprecision and breadth. Community safety is sufficiently broad to be concerned with a range of harms and hazards beyond crime and disorder, which may become the focus of the emerging new forms of government.

Details

Safer Communities, vol. 2 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1757-8043

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 25 April 2022

Stewart Selase Hevi, Gifty Enyonam Ketemepi, Caroline Dorkoo and Akorfa Wuttor

This paper aims to investigate how community policing experience elicits public trust in the police, citizens’ psychological safety and community well-being in Ghana.

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate how community policing experience elicits public trust in the police, citizens’ psychological safety and community well-being in Ghana.

Design/methodology/approach

A cluster sampling technique was used in the selection of 474 community members, who answered questions relating to community policing experience, public trust in the police, citizens’ psychological safety and community well-being. Structural equation modelling was employed to test the relationships and effects of the hypothesized paths.

Findings

The findings showed that community policing experience was positively related to public trust in the police, citizens’ psychological safety and community well-being in Ghana.

Research limitations/implications

Mediation does not fall within the scope of the current study; hence, issues of indirect effects among the variables were not examined. Nevertheless, future studies should consider investigating the phenomenon through mediation analysis.

Practical implications

The study further highlights that probable negative consequences of divulging information to the police about potential or actual crime may hinder citizens from engaging with police. Hence, police administrators must find ways to conceal identities of whistle blowers on crime and its related issues, so they do not suffer any personal cost.

Originality/value

In this research, the academic scope of community policing was expanded by linking the concepts of public trust in police, citizens’ psychological safety and community well-being, which the study admits has been undertaken separately in empirical policing literature but not within the context of developing countries such as Ghana.

Details

Safer Communities, vol. 21 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1757-8043

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 January 2003

Margaret Melrose

This article considers the issues of ‘street prostitution’ and ‘community safety’ in terms of the discursive construction of each. It argues that in the late‐modern age, concepts…

Abstract

This article considers the issues of ‘street prostitution’ and ‘community safety’ in terms of the discursive construction of each. It argues that in the late‐modern age, concepts such as ‘community’ and ‘safety’ are problematic and their meaning cannot be taken for granted. The discussion then probes discursive constructions of ‘the prostitute’ and explores the causes of prostitution, its legal regulation and the apparent resilience of street sex markets to various forms of intervention in different places and at different times. The article concludes by considering prostitute women as members of the community and reflects on what this might mean in terms of community safety strategies.

Details

Safer Communities, vol. 2 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1757-8043

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 June 2002

Daniel Gilling and Gordon Hughes

The role of the community safety practitioner is a newly emerging expertise in local government. A survey conducted with local authorities reveals a relatively fluid and…

125

Abstract

The role of the community safety practitioner is a newly emerging expertise in local government. A survey conducted with local authorities reveals a relatively fluid and unstructured profession of highly educated or experienced individuals with heavy workloads. Practitioners inhabit a contested policy terrain in which they express a preference for a social regeneration agenda rather than narrower crime specific strategies.

Details

Safer Communities, vol. 1 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1757-8043

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 June 2005

Gorazd Meško and Branko Lobnikar

The purpose of the paper is to explore some dimensions of the community policing strategy of the Slovene police, which emphasizes establishment, reinforcement and maintenance of…

1885

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of the paper is to explore some dimensions of the community policing strategy of the Slovene police, which emphasizes establishment, reinforcement and maintenance of good relations with local communities and new organized ways of setting of priorities in crime prevention and provision of local safety at the local level (i.e. local safety councils). In addition, the paper seeks to present the development of local safety and security efforts in Slovenia based on ideas of making local communities responsible and on partnership in setting priorities in safety/security efforts, prevention of everyday criminal offences and public disorder.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors have conducted a study on a sample of 178 representatives of local safety councils in several Slovenian towns. The study focused on the functioning of local safety councils in Slovenia and dealt with advantages and obstacles related to the work of such councils. The authors also reflected on the councils within a broader concept of democratisation and inclusion of citizens in crime prevention and partnership‐oriented local problem solving.

Findings

Findings show the development of some dimensions of community policing safety, especially democratic ways in setting priorities in local safety and crime prevention efforts. Despite some obstacles, the main advantages of such councils are as follows: democratisation of formal social control and control over the police; cooperation of (responsible) citizens and knowing one another; development of more active cooperation between all local key persons; facilitating of “safety consciousness” and discussions on local problems and “communities that care” mentality.

Research limitations/implications

The present research used both quantitative and qualitative approaches, which gave a relatively clear overview of the situation studied. A possible problem in studying priorities in crime prevention and safety provision can be related to the population, which attended the local safety council meetings. They do not necessarily represent the public opinion of local citizens but opinions of local élites dealing with crime and public security issues.

Practical implications

The main implications of the paper for policy makers and practitioners are challenges to the further development of local crime prevention efforts, which should be based on partnership, good knowledge (information‐ and knowledge‐based decision making), clear rules or legal framework, financing and accountability.

Originality/value

The paper presents the first such study conducted in a post‐socialist country, and presents some ideas for the development of common efforts in local (communal) crime prevention and efforts for a safer life in local communities.

Details

Policing: An International Journal of Police Strategies & Management, vol. 28 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1363-951X

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 9 January 2017

Massoomeh Hedayati-Marzbali, Mohammad Javad Maghsoodi Tilaki and Aldrin Abdullah

The contribution of neighbourhood structure to residents’ perceptions towards built environment is becoming recognised. Although considerable theoretical evidence exists to…

Abstract

Purpose

The contribution of neighbourhood structure to residents’ perceptions towards built environment is becoming recognised. Although considerable theoretical evidence exists to support the idea that natural surveillance is related to perceptions of safety, the empirical literature on examining the effect of neighbourhood structure and residents’ attitude towards their neighbourhood on perceptions of safety is limited, especially in developing countries. The purpose of this paper is to assess the relationships between natural surveillance, perceived disorder, social cohesion and perception of safety in a gated community.

Design/methodology/approach

A total of 250 households from Babolsar, Iran, participated in this study. The structural equation modelling technique was employed to examine the research model.

Findings

The results indicate that natural surveillance is negatively related to disorder and is positively related to social cohesion and perception of safety. The model also shows no significant relationship between social cohesion and perception of safety in the study area. Residents perceived relatively high levels of social cohesion, but their perceptions of safety were moderate.

Originality/value

Findings emphasise the importance of neighbourhood structure and active roles of local communities in enhancing neighbourly relations and perceptions of safety.

Details

Safer Communities, vol. 16 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1757-8043

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 17 December 2021

Yingwei Yang, Karen Liller, Dinorah Martinez Tyson and Martha Coulter

A safe environment is critical for adolescents’ well-being. The purpose of this photovoice study is to explore reasons that make adolescents feel safe in their community.

Abstract

Purpose

A safe environment is critical for adolescents’ well-being. The purpose of this photovoice study is to explore reasons that make adolescents feel safe in their community.

Design/methodology/approach

This study was conducted in Florida through both online and in-person recruitment. After a training session on the ethical and technical use of cameras and a brief introduction of the photovoice methodology, six adolescents took photos (n = 66) in their community and discussed their photos guided by the revised SHOWeD framework. Abridged transcripts were used to match photos with corresponding discussions. Thematic analysis was conducted by the research team.

Findings

This study identified four main themes related to adolescents’ safe perceptions, including community protective factors (n = 22 photos) such as safe physical environments and community cohesion; family protective factors (n = 14 photos) including safe home and caring parents; traffic safety (n = 14 photos), such as proper road signs, seat belts for car safety and helmets and locks for bicycle safety; and public safety (n = 8 photos), such as emergency numbers, fire departments and police cars and officers.

Research limitations/implications

Due to the limited number of participants, this study did not compare the similarities and differences of safety perceptions between adolescents living in high crime areas (urban communities) and those in low crime areas (suburban and rural communities). Future photovoice studies are recommended to further explore the influential factors associated with adolescents’ perceived community safety in urban and rural areas with different levels of crime rates to provide more evidence on targeted strategies for community safety promotion in each area.

Practical implications

By exploring the reasons for adolescents’ safe feelings in their community using photovoice, this study provides insights for future intervention programs to promote community safety for children and adolescents from the community, family, traffic and societal perspectives.

Social implications

This photovoice study not only empowers adolescents to identify community assets related to their safe perceptions but also illustrates valuable insights for researchers and public health professionals for safety promotion.

Originality/value

This study has used a broad research question to explore the reasons that make adolescents feel safe, providing them the opportunities to express their opinions by photo taking and photo discussions. Moreover, rich information at the community, family and societal levels has been collected as related to factors contributing to adolescents’ safe perceptions, adding to the literature on community safety. In addition, this photovoice study has offered both in-person and online participation. Such combination not only provides adolescents with an opportunity to choose a participation method that works best for them but also adds to the photovoice methodology by extending the data collection from in-person to online.

Details

Safer Communities, vol. 21 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1757-8043

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 2 February 2024

Justice Williams, Frank Fugar, Emmanuel Adinyira and Kofi Agyekum

Effective safety communication facilitates the sharing of relevant knowledge that helps to improve safety behaviours, such as superior hazard identification and compliance. This…

Abstract

Purpose

Effective safety communication facilitates the sharing of relevant knowledge that helps to improve safety behaviours, such as superior hazard identification and compliance. This study aims to explore channels by which construction companies can effectively communicate health and safety (H&S) among communities of their operations.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on a quantitative research approach, this study addressed the knowledge gap through a cross-sectional survey of 250 contractors (comprising 155 building and 95 road contractors) involved in various projects in the Ghanaian construction industry. These contractors were selected by using a stratified simple random sampling technique. Data obtained from the survey was analysed through descriptive (i.e. frequencies, mean and standard deviation) and inferential (i.e. exploratory factor analysis) statistical analyses.

Findings

The findings from the mean scores revealed that all the 12 communication channels identified in the literature, confirmed through piloting and examined by the respondents, were important channels through which construction companies can effectively communicate H&S amongst communities of their operations. The exploratory factor analysis revealed a clustering of the 12 channels of communication into 5 components: “safety demonstration in the community”; “social media”; “mass media”; “community engagement”; and “opinion leaders”.

Research limitations/implications

This study offers construction project managers the means of managing one of the major stakeholders of a construction project (the community). It provides an actionable opportunity that can be leveraged strategically to integrate community members into projects to promote synergy and local content inclusion while gaining a peaceful atmosphere to achieve their project goals.

Practical implications

Practically, this study provides construction project managers with a means of managing one of the major stakeholders of a construction project (the community) and also demonstrates the integration of community members into projects to promote synergy and local content inclusion. This would give construction organisations a peaceful atmosphere to accomplish their project objectives.

Social implications

The social implication of this study is that the study offers society a means of creating safer Ghanaian communities by offering them the knowledge of identifying hazards and avoiding risky behaviours, creating a good safety atmosphere in these communities.

Originality/value

This study presents construction organisations with a unique opportunity to transfer and share novel external knowledge within a different social system (the community). It contributes to the state-of-the-art knowledge in H&S communication by providing channels through which H&S can be communicated in a developing country such as Ghana.

Details

Journal of Engineering, Design and Technology , vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1726-0531

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 October 2003

Joan Bailey

The definition of community safety is broad and the role of community safety officers has reflected that breadth. This article points to examples of the variety of structures and…

Abstract

The definition of community safety is broad and the role of community safety officers has reflected that breadth. This article points to examples of the variety of structures and responsibilities that have emerged since 1998. It argues for a better definition of the role of the community safety officer to enhance the professionalism of the practitioners.

Details

Safer Communities, vol. 2 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1757-8043

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 July 2007

Daniel Gilling

This article subjects rural community safety to critical scrutiny. It reviews the background to this rural governmental infrastructure, considers how well it is working and…

Abstract

This article subjects rural community safety to critical scrutiny. It reviews the background to this rural governmental infrastructure, considers how well it is working and identifies the barriers to the effective development of rural community safety. It concludes with an agenda for rural community safety.

Details

Safer Communities, vol. 6 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1757-8043

Keywords

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