| Abstract: | The value of defensible space (access by strangers and opportunity for residents to observe public areas) in a variety of household types was examined. Comparison of matched samples of households (one sample consisting of people who had been victims of a crime and one where they had not), using both observation and interview data produced mixed results. Defensible space was eflective in deterring crime in indoor public areas, but not in outdoor areas. Defensible space was found to have a slight impact on people's feeling of responsibility for public areas . |
