Author ORCID Identifier
0009-0002-7795-9597
Date of Award
Winter 1-1-2025
Degree Type
Closed Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science (MS)
Department
Criminal Justice
First Advisor
Dr. Joshua Hinkle
Abstract
The relationship between perceptions of police legitimacy, collective efficacy, and the willingness to report crimes is examined using street segments as units of analysis. Survey data from 2008, collected in three mid-sized California cities, serves as the basis for assessing how trust in law enforcement and community cohesion shape reporting behaviors at different incident severity levels. Trust in police shows a significant association with higher rates of reporting across all severities of incidents. Indicators of collective efficacy, which represent strong community bonds and shared accountability, correspond with more significant reporting, particularly in emergencies. Demographic variables exhibit limited influence, underscoring the greater importance of community-wide perceptions of police legitimacy and social cohesion. The findings highlight the value of community trust in law enforcement and social cohesion as key drivers of public engagement in maintaining neighborhood safety and strengthening the incident-reporting process.
File Upload Confirmation
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Recommended Citation
Fletcher, Jakhalia C., "Neighborhood Narratives: How Individual Views on Police Legitimacy and Collective Efficacy Influence Neighborhood Incident Reporting." Thesis, Georgia State University, 2025.
https://scholarworks.gsu.edu/aysps_theses/10