Rural Perceptions of Crime

Abstract

This article examines the commonly accepted assumption that opinions of crime and disorder in rural areas are similar. This is contrasted with the theory that views are based on the environment in which we live, work, and go to school. It uses the responses of approximately 150 officers, 150 youth, and more than 5,000 adults in Maine to test theories. Results show that officers, youth, and adults do not generally agree on the seriousness of crime and disorder in Maine. They did agree that speeding was a concern. Officers, perhaps reflecting their environment, their knowledge of crime, and the police subculture, viewed crime and disorder problems as more of a concern than adults, with youth falling in between.