AIREF, UNC to Collaborate on Burglary Study

AIREF, UNC to Collaborate on Burglary Study (Irving, Texas) Feb. 2, 2015 – The Alarm Industry Research and Educational Foundation (AIREF) is moving forward with a new study on victims of burglaries, the precautions they took before the incident and their response to it. AIREF will sponsor the study done by researchers with the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, who will interview burglary victims in an attempt to gain insight regarding if and how victims of burglaries change their security measures after a burglary, as well as to learn more about how burglars select their targets and commit their crimes. Previous studies focused only on if and when someone was victimized, whether or not they notified police, their attitudes and satisfaction with police services and the general and psychological consequences of victimization. Only one study published in the past 20 years collected comprehensive information concerning the crime itself as well as the actions taken before and after by the victims themselves. However, this study was conducted in New Zealand with a small number of victims, and as such the findings can’t be generalized and may not apply to American households. “Our last study examined burglary from the offender’s perspective and helps us understand how alarms and other safety measures might deter potential offenders,” said Dr. Joseph Kuhns, Associate Professor with UNC’s Department of Criminal Justice and Criminology. “Our next study will consider burglary from the victim’s perspective and will help us learn more about how residential burglary victims adapt and change their safety practices and habits following a residential burglary in Charlotte, NC. This study will be particularly helpful because many Charlotte residents have consistently reported that residential burglaries are among their top public safety concerns.” UNC researchers will use police reports to identify subjects who were victimized during a particular time frame, and then contact them to collect information via a survey and/or an interview. Information to be collected will include demographic characteristics of respondents, general characteristics of the burglarized structure (was it isolated or near other homes, nearby “getaway” routes, busy area versus no one in the area, etc.), general details about the burglary itself, details of the burglars’ entry, security precautions taken prior to and at the time of the burglary, details of the burglars’ exit routes, information on police and/or security response, the outcome of the case and changes made by the victim after the burglary. ABOUT AIREF The Alarm Industry Research & Educational Foundation (AIREF) is a tax-exempt foundation serving as the research arm of the electronic security industry and is supported by the Electronic Security Association (ESA). Through research and education, AIREF provides relevant information used by public safety officials, consumers and the industry to make communities across the nation safer. More information is available at www.AIREF.org. You are receiving this press release as a courtesy of the Electronic Security Association (ESA). If you don't want to receive future communications, please follow the instructions at the bottom of this email. If you prefer to receive information in a different format, or as an attachment, or if you need additional information, please contact the Communications Department. Electronic Security Association 6333 N. State Highway 161, Suite 350 • Irving, TX 75038 Toll Free (888) 447-1689 • Local (972) 807-6800 • Fax (972) 807-6883 All content 2014 © Electronic Security Association, Inc. For Immediate Release

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AIREF, UNC to Collaborate on Burglary Study
 

 

(Irving, Texas) Feb. 2, 2015 "“ The Alarm Industry Research and Educational Foundation (AIREF) is moving forward with a new study on victims of burglaries, the precautions they took before the incident and their response to it.

AIREF will sponsor the study done by researchers with the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, who will interview burglary victims in an attempt to gain insight regarding if and how victims of burglaries change their security measures after a burglary, as well as to learn more about how burglars select their targets and commit their crimes.

Previous studies focused only on if and when someone was victimized, whether or not they notified police, their attitudes and satisfaction with police services and the general and psychological consequences of victimization. Only one study published in the past 20 years collected comprehensive information concerning the crime itself as well as the actions taken before and after by the victims themselves. However, this study was conducted in New Zealand with a small number of victims, and as such the findings can't be generalized and may not apply to American households.

"Our last study examined burglary from the offender's perspective and helps us understand how alarms and other safety measures might deter potential offenders," said Dr. Joseph Kuhns, Associate Professor with UNC's Department of Criminal Justice and Criminology. "Our next study will consider burglary from the victim's perspective and will help us learn more about how residential burglary victims adapt and change their safety practices and habits following a residential burglary in Charlotte, NC. This study will be particularly helpful because many Charlotte residents have consistently reported that residential burglaries are among their top public safety concerns."

UNC researchers will use police reports to identify subjects who were victimized during a particular time frame, and then contact them to collect information via a survey and/or an interview. Information to be collected will include demographic characteristics of respondents, general characteristics of the burglarized structure (was it isolated or near other homes, nearby "getaway" routes, busy area versus no one in the area, etc.), general  details about the burglary itself, details of the burglars' entry, security precautions taken prior to and at the time of the burglary, details of the burglars' exit routes, information on police and/or security response, the outcome of the case and changes made by the victim after the burglary.

ABOUT AIREF

The Alarm Industry Research & Educational Foundation (AIREF) is a tax-exempt foundation serving as the research arm of the electronic security industry and is supported by the Electronic Security Association (ESA). Through research and education, AIREF provides relevant information used by public safety officials, consumers and the industry to make communities across the nation safer. More information is available at www.AIREF.org.

 

You are receiving this press release as a courtesy of the Electronic Security Association (ESA). If you don't want to receive future communications, please follow the instructions at the bottom of this email. If you prefer to receive information in a different format, or as an attachment, or if you need additional information, please contact the Communications Department.

Electronic Security Association
6333 N. State Highway 161, Suite 350 "¢ Irving, TX 75038
Toll Free (888) 447-1689 "¢ Local (972) 807-6800 "¢ Fax (972) 807-6883

All content 2014 © Electronic Security Association, Inc.