Local Community Involvement and Participation in Neighbourhood Watch: A Case-study in Cork, Ireland

Abstract

It is often assumed that community policing will develop as a response to local crime and out of a sense of collective solidarity, although the evidence for both is inconclusive and often conflicting. This was examined in Cork, Ireland, by relating peoples' attitudes to neighbourhood watch and their willingness to participate to their perceptions of local crime, their experiences of it, and their involvement in a range of local community behaviours. Discriminant analyses show that the effect of crime is complicated. Serious crime deters involvement, although when this is held constant, victimisation to some offenses results in a greater willingness to join. Of the community variables, only involvement in a community organisation and strong value orientations encourage participation. Other dimensions, like social interaction and affect for the neighbourhood, have no significant influence.

Neighborhood Organizations and Resident Assistance to Police1

“…Those organizations with a local orientation and those organizations with economic, neighborhood, or crime missions were involved in over 60% of CAPS activities (Skogan and Hartnett, 1997:143). Other researchers have also found that residents who are actively involved in neighborhood organizations in general are more likely to participate in anticrime efforts (e.g., Chavis et al, 1987; Dubow and Podolefsky, 1982; Hawdon and Ryan, 2009; Hourihan, 1987; Ohmer and Beck, 2006; Perkins et al, 1996). Thus, neighborhood organizations can provide a source of volunteers for policing efforts.…”

“…Similarly, many individuals and ad hoc groups who became involved in Chicago’s CAPS (Chicago Alternative Policing Strategy) program “did not stick with the effort” even if they received police support (Skogan and Hartnett, 1997:239). Given the frequently troubled relationships between residents and law enforcement in high‐crime areas, it is particularly difficult to generate resident involvement in policing efforts in areas where such involvement is needed most (Cole, 1999; Hawdon, 2008; Hourihan, 1987; Parker et al, 1995; Rosenbaum 1988; Sadd and Grinc, 1994; Skogan and Hartnett, 1997). These findings have led some to argue that the model of police‐resident co‐roduction of social control is idealistic because it requires too much cooperation from residents (Buerger, 1994).…”

Crime and Policing in the British Countryside: Some Agendas for Contemporary Geographical Research

“…However, the establishment of schemes relied on existing voluntary networks and, as a consequence, co-ordinators were mainly male, middle class, retired residents. As is the case in urban areas (Husain 1988;Hope 1988;Hough and Mayhew 1985;Hourihan 1987;Duncan 1997), rural nw schemes favour people with the time and assets to help themselves and were in least need of help themselves. Consequently, if schemes reflect social class rather than social need, there is a danger that police time and resources may be drawn into wrong areas.…”

“…However, as Murdoch and Marsden (1994) have demonstrated, participation in local decision making is likely to favour class interest and hegemonic value. Wellorganized parishes with established community representations are likely to have a louder and more influential say in the auditing and policing of crime than areas where there is less social cohesion (Hourihan 1987). Consequently, public consultations are likely to favour hegemonic interests.…”

Social Control in China: A Study of Chinese Work Units. By Victor Shaw. Westport, Conn.: Praeger, 1996. xiv, 288 pp. $59.95.

“…In Ireland it is reported that strong value orientations, frequent involvement in community organizations, and victimization to non-serious offenses motivate residents to participate in the neighborhood watch program (Hourihan 1987). In England the "cocoon" neighborhood watch, along with other measures such as target hardening and removal of obvious sources of cash, is found to help reduce burglary in a public housing estate (Pease 1991).…”