Preliminary Results of

The 1995 Anonymous Survey of

Algeld-Murray Homes Residents:

An Analysis of Gangs

and Other Problems

In a Southside Chicago Public Housing Complex

George W. Knox, Ph.D.

ABSTRACT

The research reported here was designed as a component of Chicago State University's "Violence Reduction Initiative" for the Altgeld-Murray Homes public housing complex on Chicago's far south side. This research was planned in late 1994, implemented in early June 1995, and this preliminary report was provided in the summer of 1995 to resident respondents who requested a copy.

On June 2nd, 1995 a large yellow bus left Chicago State University (C.S.U.) and travelled to the far south side of Chicago. The bus carried the principal investigator and 24 research assistants trained to hand out questionnaires to every household in the Altgeld-Murray Homes complex. There are approximately 2,000 households in the complex. Every occupied household was provided with a survey on June 2, 1995 when during a two hour period the researchers saturated the complex. On June 5th and 6th, 1995 the principal investigator and research associates were again on-site to hand out $5.00 cash honorariums to respondents who returned completed questionnaires.

A grand total of N = 714 questionnaires were collected on June 5-6, 1995. Of these, a total of 695 useable questionnaires were processed for computer analysis, which constitutes the sample used for this report. Some 16 counterfeit surveys were found, along with three that were rejected as being conspicuously invalid.

This report provides a complete descriptive analysis of all questions from the questionnaire using the sample of N = 695. Thus, this sample contains over one-third of all households in this public housing complex.

During the same week that this data was collected, the Chicago Housing Authority itself became national news as it was taken over by the federal government for gross mismanagement. This external factor, we feel, would not affect most of the nature of this research. Rather it was simply a very opportune time to conduct the research, because the findings from the specific complex under study here (i.e., the Altgeld-Murray Homes complex) can be used as a baseline for assessing whether the new management is able to do any better than their predecessors.

INTRODUCTION

Very little research on crime, violence, and especially gang problems has yet been conducted in public housing complexes. This research is a step in the direction of increasing the public understanding of the empirical nature of crime, violence, and gangs in public housing. This research is the first known large study of public housing crime that specifically focuses on gang problems.

This research was not, however, limited to gang problems. This research examined a host of relevant factors as will be seen.

METHODOLOGY

The survey research methodology used here is both a victimization and community survey, with a special emphasis on crime, violence, and gang problems. A questionnaire was developed, critiqued, reviewed, revised several times, and shortened substantially over a period of critical review from the "Violence Reduction Initiative" executive staff of Chicago State University. The questionnaire measured a number of factors about violence and the viewpoints of the residents, their experiences, their beliefs, and their assessments of the problems inside their public housing complex.

There are approximately 2,000 housing units in the Altgeld-Murray Homes complex of the Chicago Housing Authority. It was decided early on that a saturation sampling technique would be employed. That is, each and every occupied housing unit would be approached and asked to participate in the study. Each household adult who would complete the questionnaire was offered a cash honorarium of $5.00. The surveys were distributed on June 2, 1995 to all residents. On June 5 and June 6, 1995 some 695 useful questionnaires were returned. A small number of surveys that were returned were not used because of suspect validity (N = 19). Thus, only a small number (N = 19) were rejected as being invalid at the stage of data processing. This left a large sample of N = 695 for data analysis purposes. This sample of N = 695 constitutes over one-third of all households in the Altgeld-Murray Homes public housing complex.

FINDINGS

The descriptive findings from this research are presented in their full and complete form in this report. The procedure of presentation will simply follow the question order in the questionnaire itself. Thus, the results presented below will begin with the first question and end with the last question in the exact order in which the questions appear in the questionnaire.

The reader is reminded this is a summary of the raw data for the N = 695 cases that did appear to be valid surveys at time of visual inspection during the data processing stage. It is possible that a future report will make tests for eliminating deceitful respondent data: as this is a possible type of analysis in the present study. The findings presented here, however, do not eliminate cases because of computer-detected deception patterns.

Almost All Residents Believe CHA Tenants Should Be More Involved in Crime Prevention

The survey asked the residents of Altgeld Gardens and Murray Homes "do you feel that CHA tenants should be more involved in preventing crime and violence". Some 94.6 percent agreed: they felt CHA tenants should be more involved in preventing crime and violence. A small minority of the respondents, only 5.4 percent, did not agree that CHA tenants should be more involved in crime prevention.

Rated Level of Satisfaction With CHA Police

The survey asked the residents "overall, from your experience in Altgeld-Murray Homes, how would you rate your level of satisfaction with CHA police". The response mode choices include values from an absolute low value of zero (for "dissatisfied") to an absolute high value of ten (for "satisfied"). The results also ranged from a low of zero to a high of ten. Some 43 percent gave rating values of zero to four. Some 57 percent gave rating values of five to ten. In other words, there are respondents who have a high level of satisfaction and a low level of satisfaction with CHA police. The mean, or overall average, for the entire sample was a rating value of 4.84 on a zero to ten point scale, where the higher the value the greater the satisfaction with the CHA police.

Rated Level of Satisfaction With CHA Armed Security Officers

The survey asked the residents "overall, from your experience in Altgeld-Murray Homes, how would you rate your level of satisfaction with CHA armed security officers". The response mode choices include values from an absolute low value of zero (for "dissatisfied") to an absolute high value of ten (for "satisfied"). The results also ranged from a low of zero to a high of ten. Some 46.3 percent gave rating values of zero to four. Some 53.7 percent gave rating values of five to ten. In otherwords, there are respondents who have a high level of satisfaction and a low level of satisfaction with CHA security. The mean, or overall average, for the entire sample was a rating value of 4.60 on a zero to ten point scale, where the higher the value the greater the satisfaction with the CHA security.

How Long They Have Lived in Properties of the Chicago Housing Authority

The survey asked the residents "how many years have you lived in any housing managed by the Chicago Housing Authority". The results ranged from under a year to a high of 52 years. Only 1.5 percent of the respondents had not been living on CHA property for a full year. But over half of all respondents to the survey (56.6%) had been living in CHA property for ten years or more! The mean, or average, length of time living on any CHA property was 15.8 years for this sample of CHA residents.

Ratings For Safety In Living At The Altgeld-Murray Homes

The survey asked the residents "how safe is it to live in the Altgeld-Murray Homes neighborhood". The response choices ranged from an absolute low of zero (for "not safe") to an absolute high value of ten (for "very safe"). The actual results ranged from a low of zero to a high of ten. However, over two-thirds (69%) gave safety ratings of five or under on this zero to ten point scale, where the higher the value the higher the sense of security at Altgeld. The mean, or average, score for the entire sample was a safety rating of 4.47 on a scale of zero to ten.

How Long The Respondents Have Actually Lived in the Altgeld-Murray Homes CHA Complex

The survey asked the residents "how many years have you actually lived in Altgeld-Murray Homes". The results ranged from under one year to a high of 51 years. In fact, a third (36.3%) have lived in Altgeld-Murray for 20 years or more. About a third (36.1%) have lived there for five years or less. The mean, or average length of time, living at Altgeld-Murray Homes was 15.0 years for the entire sample.

Strong Interest In Working More Closely With CHA Police

The survey asked the residents "would you be willing to be a volunteer in a new program designed to work more closely with CHA Police and CHA Security if you were given training by Chicago State University". The results show that two thirds (68%) of the residents would in fact be willing to work more closely with CHA police if they were provided such training by CSU. About a third of the residents (32%) indicated they would not be interested in such volunteer work; the typical comment was "I would rather be paid than volunteer", or "my health would not permit it".

Most Believe They Should Be Allowed to Have Fences

The survey asked the residents "do you think Altgeld-Murray Homes residents should be allowed to have fences around their common front and rear areas of the building". Some 90.4 percent agreed with the idea that they should be allowed to have such fences. Only 9.6 percent of the residents did not like this idea.

Murders in 1994

The survey asked the residents "was anyone from your household murdered in 1994". Some 7.2 percent indicated "yes" (N = 49). A follow-up question sought to determine whether or not these murders have occurred on the Altgeld-Murray homes property. So among those residents who have lost someone from their household to murder in 1994, the results show that 20 respondents indicated the murder or homicide did occur on the Altgeld-Murray Homes property. It is hard to believe that this statistic would actually mean that twenty different residents of Altgeld-Murray Homes were murdered inside the complex last year. What we may be picking up here is some over enthusiasm among respondents who have in fact previously lost loved ones to murder: for at this particular CHA complex, there exists a "wall of respect" with about 500 names of individuals who have been killed typically in gang violence --- it is a huge list of murdered family members, in alphabetical order, on the top of a tunnel. Murders are happening, that is clear. But we will be recommending that this question be improved for validity and reliability purposes in order to ascertain the identity of the decedent and the date of death so that this data can be independently confirmed. For this reason, a primary recommendation of this research is more research: how bad is the truth here?

Recall as well, that crime victimization surveys such as this are always going to be higher than the official police statistics.

Criminal Sexual Assaults in 1994

The survey asked the residents "was anyone from your household a victim of a criminal sexual assault (i.e., rape) in 1994". Some 6.3 percent (N = 43) did in fact report this type of victimization for someone in their household during the year 1994. The follow-up question to residents was "if yes, did the criminal sexual assault occur on the Altgeld-Murray Homes property", and this showed that 24 of the 43 cases did indicate the sexual assault did in fact occur in the complex.

Assaults In 1994

The survey asked the residents "was anyone from your household a victim of an assault in 1994". This could include being hit or slapped by someone. The results show that 17.6 percent (N = 120) indicated that someone in their household was assaulted during 1994. The follow-up question asked "if yes, did the serious assault occur on the Altgeld-Murray Homes property", and here it was revealed that 86 of the 120 assault cases did occur in the complex.

Robbery Victimization in 1994

The survey asked the residents "was anyone from your household a victim of a robbery in 1994". The results show that 18.5 percent (N = 127) of the respondents indicated that someone from their household was a robbery victim in 1994. The follow-up question asked the residents "if yes, did the robbery occur on the Altgeld-Murray Homes property", and here it was revealed that 99 of the 127 robbery victimization cases were said to have occurred on the property of the complex.

Burglary Victimization in 1994

The survey asked "was your household in Altgeld-Murray Homes burglarized (that is someone broke into your home or apartment) in 1994". The results show that 15.5 percent (N = 106) of the respondents report this type of crime victimization during 1994. The follow-up question asked them "how many different times in 1994", and here the results showed a range from one to six.

Theft Victimization in 1994

The survey asked the residents "was anything of value (property, valuables, etc) stolen from you anywhere on the Altgeld-Murray Homes property in 1994". The results show that 19.6 percent (N = 133) reported someone in their household was a victim of theft on the complex property in 1994. The follow-up question asked "how many different times in 1994", and the results here showed a range from 1 to 8.

Motor Vehicle Theft Victimization in 1994

The survey asked the residents "was any car, truck, or motor vehicle stolen from anyone in your household in 1994". The results show that 8.4 percent (N = 57) report someone from their household was a victim of motor vehicle theft in 1994. The follow-up question asked "did the vehicle theft actually occur on the Altgeld-Murray Homes property during 1994", and here it was revealed that 38 of the 57 cases of motor vehicle theft were said to have occurred on the property.

Very Few Have Ever Been A CHA Tenant Patrol Volunteer

The survey asked the residents "have you ever been a "CHA Tenant Patrol" volunteer". The results show that only 5.6 percent (N = 39) have ever been a CHA tenant patrol volunteer. The vast majority of the respondents (N = 652, 94.4%) report that they have never been a CHA tenant patrol volunteer.

Three-Fourths Believe Gangs Exploit Their Members Over Money

The survey asked "do you think that gangs exploit their members over money". The results show that 78.6 percent (N = 503) do believe that gangs exploit their members over money. Thus, about a fourth (N = 137, 21.4%) did not believe that gangs exploit their members over money.

Four Out of Five Believe Police "Walking the Beat" Would Discourage Gang Activity In the Same Area

The survey asked the residents "do you think that if police would walk the beat all the time that this would discourage gang activity in the same area". The results show that 83.9% (N = 570) of the residents do believe that if police would walk the beat that this would discourage gang activity in the same area. Thus, only 16.1 percent (N = 109) did not believe police "walking the beat" would discourage gang activity in the same area.

About One Out Of Ten Report Family Violence

The survey asked "during 1994 were you ever assaulted by any other member of your family". The results show that 9.7 percent (N = 66) of the respondents do in fact report that they were assaulted by another family member in 1994. Most (90.3%, N = 614) do not report this type of family violence.

Family Structure: Size and Age Demographics

The survey asked the residents "in your immediate family, whether they are living with you or not, how many are there: ____Males ____Females", thus obtaining separate figures for the numbers of males and females. The results for males show a range between zero to a high of 22, however 93.1 percent of the cases show five or less males, and a mean or overall average for this sample of 2.70 males. The results for females show a range between a low of zero to a high of 40, where 91.6 percent of the respondents report five or less females, and a mean of 3.01 females for the overall sample.

A follow-up question centered on the demographic riddle of what happens to the males over the age of 21, and it therefore sought some estimate on this factor through the question "how many are males over the age of 21". The results showed a range between a low of zero to a high of 20. Some 95 percent reported having five or less males over the age of 21. The mean, or average, was 1.51 for this variable.

Three-Fourths Report Gunfire Near Their Apartment in 1994

The survey asked the residents "were any guns fired near your apartment in 1994". Some 78 percent (N = 535) did in fact report that guns were fired near their apartment in the year 1994. Only 22 percent (N = 151) did not report gunfire near their apartment in 1994.

About One in Ten Report Being Shot At in 1994

The survey asked the residents "were you or any members of your household "shot at" (with a gun) during 1994". The results show that 10.5 percent (N = 71) report they or a member of their household were shot at with a gun during 1994. Most of the respondents (89.5%, N = 604) did not report experiencing this type gun violence during the year 1994.

Gang Violence Trauma During 1994

The survey asked the residents "did any member of your household during 1994 require treatment at a hospital emergency room because of gang violence". The results show that 10.4 percent (N = 69) of the respondents did report this type of gang violence trauma during the last year (1994). A follow-up question asked the residents "did this violence occur in Altgeld-Murray Homes", and here 47 of the 69 cases reported this gang violence trauma did in fact happened on the Altgeld-Murray Homes property. Another follow-up question asked "did this violence occur outside of Altgeld-Murray Homes", and here some 21 of the 69 cases reported that the violence occurred outside of this CHA complex.

Three-Fourths of the Residents Believe Aggressive Anti-Gang Policing Could Displace Gang Operations

The survey asked the residents "if the police were continually stopping and searching gang members in a certain area do you think the gang would move its operations elsewhere". The results show that 76.7 percent (N = 522) of the residents do believe that more aggressive anti-gang policing could result in displacement of gang operations. Still, some 23.3 percent (N = 159) did not believe that such proactive anti-gang policing would result in the displacement of gang operations.

Over A Third Agree With Gang Graffiti Blasting

The survey asked the residents "when gang graffiti is repeatedly removed as quickly as it is put up does that discourage the gang from further activity in the area". The results show that 38.3 percent agree that gang graffiti removal does discourage the gang from further activity in the area. Still, a majority of the respondents, some 61.7 percent (N = 415) did not believe in this commonly accepted idea about the value of gang graffiti blasting.

Holding The Adult Gang Leader Legally Accountable For Using Juveniles: Two-Thirds Believe It Would Help Suppress Gang Activity

The survey asked the residents "if it was illegal to recruit anyone 17 or under into a gang, or if any gang leader would be prosecuted for having children in his gang who just joined (i.e., they wanted to be members, they were not actually recruited), would this make it harder for a gang to operate". The results show that 67.9 percent (N = 445) do in fact believe that holding the adult gang leader legally responsible for using juveniles could help to suppress gang activity. Still, about a third (32.1%, N = 210) did not believe this would help suppress gang operations.

Sixty-Three Percent Are Ready To Support A Federal Death Penalty For Gang Murders That Occur on CHA Property

The survey asked the residents "would you be in favor of any murder on CHA property involving gang violence being a federal offense that carries an automatic death penalty". The results show that 63.2 percent (N = 423) would in fact be in favor of a new federal death penalty for gang murders that occur on CHA property. Still, some 36.8 percent (N = 246) are not ready to support this extreme measure.

Nine Out of Ten Believe More Should Be Done For the Victims of Violence

The survey asked the residents "do you think that more should be done for the victims of violence in Altgeld-Murray Homes". Here the results showed that 91.1 percent (N = 616) agreed with this idea that more should be done for the victims of violence. Only 8.9 percent (N = 60) did not accept this idea.

Two-Thirds Of the Residents Would Join In With CSU to Reduce Violence

The survey asked the residents "if a Community Resident Task Force were established to try and reduce violence in the Algeld-Murray neighborhood, would you consider joining if you were provided with training from Chicago State University". The results show that 69 percent (N = 457) of the respondents would in fact join CSU under these conditions to seek to reduce violence in this CHA complex. Still, some 31 percent (N = 205) indicated they could not join in, often because they were senior citizens or house-bound, etc.

Dispute Resolution: Two-Thirds Believe Their Community Needs This Service

The survey asked "do you think adults in Altgeld-Murray Homes could benefit from having a Dispute Resolution Center (a way to resolve disputes and feuds without police or the courts)". The results show that 65.1 percent (N = 422) do believe a dispute resolution service could benefit their community. About a third (34.9%, N = 226) did not believe this could help their community.

Two-Thirds Would Volunteer in a Dispute Resolution Service For Their Community

The survey asked the residents "would you be a volunteer for a new Dispute Resolution Center at Altgeld-Murray Homes if you were provided with training from Chicago State University". The results show that 66.3 percent (N = 440) would in fact volunteer for this service to their community if CSU provided the training. Still, about a third (33.7%, N = 224) could not volunteer, they would want to be paid, or they are too elderly.

Fifteen Percent Report Fights With Other Residents Last Year

The survey asked the residents "were you ever hit or physically attacked by any other Altgeld-Murray Homes resident in the year 1994". The results show that 15.5 percent (N = 106) did in fact report having such fights with other residents of this CHA complex during the last year. Thus, most (84.5%, N = 579) did not report being in a fight with another resident of the complex. The problem of fighting with other residents is large enough to justify an entire dispute resolution center devoted specifically to such assaultive behavior. The idea is to de-escalate such violence prone behavior among residents and to restore peace by means of informal social controls.

One Out of Ten Have Had Property Disputes In the Last Year

The survey asked the residents "did you have a dispute about property with any other Altgeld-Murray Homes resident in the year 1994". The results show that 14 percent (N = 95) did in fact have such property disputes with other residents of the same complex during the last year. Thus, when this rate is extrapolated to the entire complex population, it too alone could be an issue that justifies a separate dispute resolution service. The idea is that this might reduce tensions and improve the quality of life for these residents.

One Out of Ten Have Had A Financial Dispute In The Last Year

The survey asked the residents "did you have a dispute about money with any other Altgeld-Murray Homes resident in the year 1994". The results show that 12.1 percent (N = 82) did in fact have such a financial dispute with other residents during the last year. Most (87.9%, N = 596) did not have a financial dispute with other residents during the last year.

A Fourth Have Had A Damage to Property Dispute In The Last Year

The survey asked the residents "did you have any property or thing of value that you owned damaged or broken by any other Altgeld-Murray Homes resident in the year 1994". The results show that 24.6 percent (N = 165) did in fact have a damage to property dispute with another CHA resident during the last year. As a matter of a needs assessment for planning a future dispute resolution service, this variable and others like it need to be more thoroughly assessed. But clearly, the problem is pervasive enough to justify on its face the creation of such a dispute resolution center for the residents.

Immediate Family Members 17 Years of Age or Older

This variable is one of a series that tries to solve the puzzle of what happens to the adult males in the demographic structure of these CHA residents. The survey therefore asked the residents "how many members of your immediate family, whether they live with you or not, are 17 years of age or older". The results ranged from a low of zero to a high of 26. Some 88.8 percent report five or less males in their immediate family who are 17 years of age or older. The mean, or average, was 2.47 males who are 17 years of age or older in their immediate family.

Half Of the Residents Believe A Dispute/Conflict Resolution Service Could Work in Their CHA Complex

The survey asked the residents "do you think conflicts and disputes among Altgeld-Murray Homes residents could be resolved without the use of the police and courts if a Dispute - Mediation - Arbitration Program were established in Altgeld-Murray homes". The results show that 50.5 percent (N = 334) do believe this service could be effective in their community. Thus, about half (49.5%, N = 327) were skeptical that this service could work in their community.

Specific Geographical Fears

The survey asked the residents "is there any one area of Altgeld-Murray Homes that you do not feel safe in anytime day or night". The results show that 59.1 percent (N = 395) do in fact have such specific geographical fears. Thus, 40.9 percent (N = 273) did not have such specific geographical fears.

There was a follow-up question to this, which asked the respondents to describe the exact geographical area where they do not feel safe in terms of a specific address. However, the data cannot be used because of the way it was structured. Most residents refer to their specific geographical fears in terms of "blocks", not addresses. It was common for the respondent to reply to this follow-up variable on geographical fears that in a very generalized way: "everywhere...all over...there is no safe place". Thus, additional research that is more specific and identifies the block of origin of the respondent and the block of sensed geographical fear will be necessary to adequately address this specific issue.

Three-Fourths Report Rival Gang Violence During the Last Year

The survey asked the residents "has there been violence between rival gang members in Altgeld-Murray Homes during 1994". The results show that 78.3 percent (N = 504) did in fact report such rival gang violence in their CHA complex during the last year. Still, some 21.7 percent (N = 140) reported that there has not been such rival gang violence in the last year.

Half Believe in Gang Truces

The survey asked the residents "has there been any "truce" between rival gangs in Altgeld-Murray Homes during 1994". The results show a half and half split in the responses, that is the residents are equally divided on this issue. Some 55.8 percent (N = 322) felt there was a gang truce in 1994. The other half (44.2%, N = 255) did not feel there was a gang truce in 1994.

A follow-up question showed 265 of the residents did feel that the truce did result in less gang violence.

Another follow-up question asked "do you think it is realistic to expect rival gangs to be able to establish a truce". Here again, 53.5 percent (N = 301) felt it was realistic, and the other half (46.5%, N = 262) did not feel it was realistic to establish gang truces. Thus, the issue of gang truces is a divisive and controversial issue in this sample.

Half Believe A Teen Court Could Be Useful

The survey asked the residents "do you think violence between teenagers at Altgeld-Murray Homes could be prevented if a Community Resident Teen Alternative Court program were available to settle disputes and conflicts without the use of police or the courts". The results show that half (56%, N = 368) believe a teen court program for dispute/conflict resolution could be effective in preventing teen violence.

Two-Thirds of the Residents Are Adamant: Gang Graffiti Should Be Painted Over

The survey asked the residents "how do you feel about gang graffiti in Altgeld-Murray Homes" and they were then asked to select a number from a low of zero for "the graffiti should be left alone" to a high of ten for "the graffiti should be painted over". The results show a range of beliefs from zero to ten. However, only 8.7 percent of the respondents showed a value of zero for being adamant about "the graffiti should be left alone". In fact, some 67 percent chose a value of ten for being adamant about "the graffiti should be painted over". The mean, or average, score for this sample was 8.00 on a scale of zero to ten, where the higher the score the more they want the gang graffiti painted over.

Nine Out of Ten Residents Want Drug Dealers Arrested

The survey asked the residents "do you feel police should be more aggressive in arresting drug dealers in the Altgeld-Murray Homes neighborhood". The results show that 89.9 percent (N = 594) do in fact want more aggressive police responses by having drug dealers arrested. Only 10.1 percent (N = 67) did not feel that police should be more aggressive in arresting drug dealers in their community.

Nine Out of Ten Residents Want Adult Gang Members Arrested

The survey asked the residents "do you feel police should be more aggressive in arresting adult gang members in the Algeld-Murray Homes neighborhood". The results show that 91.9 percent (N = 613) want police to be more aggressive in arresting adult gang members. Only 8.1 percent of the respondents (N = 54) did not want adult gang members arrested.

Four-Fifths of the Residents Believe Most Are Afraid To Go Out After Sundown

The survey asked the residents "are most people afraid to walk around the Altgeld-Murray Homes neighborhood after sundown". The results show that 80.4 percent (N = 524) do in fact believe there is pervasive fear in their community, that is residents are afraid to go out after sundown. Only 19.6 percent (N = 128) did not feel that most residents fear going out after sundown.

A question was designed to ascertain in their opinion, what is the most dangerous area at night in Altgeld-Murray Homes, in terms of the actual geographical area, and an approximate street address. However, as alluded to earlier with a similar variable for measuring geographical fear spots, this data cannot be used because most residents refer to their fear spots in terms of "blocks" within the overall complex. Thus, additional research is going to be necessary to isolate these hot spots of fear.

Nine Out of Ten Respondents Are Parents

The survey asked the residents "are you the parent of any children". The results showed that 90 percent (N = 594) were in fact parents of children. Thus, only ten percent (N = 66) were not parents in this sample.

Almost All Agree: Parents Should Be Held Financially Responsible for Damage Done By Their Children

The survey asked the residents whether they agreed or disagreed with the idea that "parents should be held financially responsible for any damage to property done by their children". The results showed that 84.2 percent (N = 555) did in fact agree with the idea that parents should be held financially responsible for any damage to property done by their children. Only 15.8 percent (N = 104) did not feel parents should be held financially responsible for their children's behavior.

One Out of Ten Households Had Someone Arrested In The Last Year

The survey asked the residents "was anyone from your household arrested during 1994". The results show that 86.5 percent (N = 569) report that no one from their household was arrested in the last year. However, some 13.5 percent (N = 89) indicated that someone from their household was in fact arrested in 1994.

What Happens To The Adult Male African-Americans?

The census data for many CHA properties, including Altgeld-Gardens, shows a demographic riddle: from age 1 to about 17, males and females are equally represented in the population. At about age 21, the adult male African-Americans simply disappear from the census data. Thus a series of five questions were directed as finding out what happens to the adult male African-Americans in these CHA households.

The first question asked "is any adult male (21 years of age or older) from your household currently in jail awaiting trial". Only 4.8 percent (N = 32) indicated their household has such members who are currently in jail.

The second question asked "is any adult male (21 years of age or older) from your household currently in prison". Here again, only 5.8 percent (N = 36) indicated the loss of such a household member to the adult prison system.

The third question asked "is any adult male (21 years of age or older) from your household currently in any hospital or medical institution". Here the results showed that, again, only 4.7 percent of the households in this sample have lost an adult male to this source.

The fourth question asked "is any adult male (21 years of age or older) from your household currently away in the U.S. Armed Forces (Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines)". Here the results show that 7.7 percent of the respondents have adult males in the military.

The fifth and final question in this series asked "has any adult male (21 years of age or older) from your household moved away from the Altgeld-Murray Homes neighborhood". Here the results show that 26.8 percent (N = 174) of the respondents report that adult males have simply moved away.

Effectiveness Ratings For Security and Police Responses

The survey asked the residents "please rate how effective the security and police are in rapidly responding once you call them". The response modes included designated values from a low of zero for "not effective" to a high of ten for "very effective". The results show a similar range from zero to ten. There are extreme views here: 11.4 percent gave a rating of zero, the absolute lowest value rating for "not effective", while 11.6 percent gave a rating of ten, the absolute highest value for "very effective". The mean, or average, rating was 4.87 on a zero to ten point scale where the higher the value, the higher the effectiveness in response.

A follow-up question asked "how many times did you call CHA security or CHA police in 1994". Here the results ranged from a low of zero to a high of 80! In fact, about a third (32%, N = 185) never made one call to police in the last year. The vast majority (86.5%) made five or less calls. The mean, or average, number of calls was 3.63 during 1994.

Ratings For The Effectiveness of Street Lighting For Crime Prevention

The survey asked the residents "please rate how effective the street lighting is in discouraging crime and violence in Algeld-Murray Homes". The respondent was asked to chose a number between a low of zero (for "not effective") to a high of ten for "very effective". The results did, therefore, range from a low of zero to a high of ten. However, a fourth (25%) of the entire sample gave the highest rating of effectiveness (i.e., "10") for lighting as a crime prevention tool. The mean, or average, rating was 6.18 on a zero to ten point scale where the higher the rating the higher the effectiveness of street lighting for crime prevention.

Age of the Respondents

The survey asked "how old are you today? _____Years old". The results ranged from a low of 18 to a high of 89 years old. About half (49.9%, N = 316) were 35 years old or younger. The mean, or average, age of the respondent was 37.4 years old.

Over Half Have Graduated From High School

The survey asked the respondents "did you graduate from high school". The results show that 63.9 percent of the respondent (N = 417) report that they have in fact graduated from high school.

In fact, when we add whether or not the respondent has either graduated from high school or has obtained the G.E.D., then the rate for eligibility for college education rises to 72.5 percent for the entire sample.

Four-Fifths of the Respondents Are Female

Some 82.3 percent (N = 541) of the respondents are female. Some 17.7 percent (N = 116) of the respondents are male. This response rate is about right for what the official census data suggests in terms of the adult gender distribution existing in the complex.

Crime Victimization Against the Respondents Themselves

A series of four questions were used to assess the extent of crime victimization against the respondents themselves during the last year (all of 1994).

The first of these questions asked the resident "did you have anything stolen from you". About a fourth (24.9%, N = 168) indicated they were in fact themselves theft victims during the last year.

The second question asked "were you a victim of any crime" during the last year. Here, oddly, we find a lower rate: only 19.8 percent reported they were a victim of any crime during the last year, suggesting some inconsistency in the responses of the respondents.

The third question asked "were you physically attacked or injured as a crime victim in 1994". Here the results show that 13.4 percent (N = 90) of the respondents indicated they were physically attacked or injured as a crime victim last year.

The fourth and final question in this series asked "did any of this crime against you occur in the Altgeld-Murray Homes property". Here, some 28 percent (N = 179) of the respondents indicated that they had experienced some crime victimization on the property themselves during the last year.

Almost All Agree: Strengthen The Relationship Between Residents and CHA Security

The survey asked the residents "do you feel it would be a good idea to strengthen the working relationship between CHA security and the CHA residents". The results show that 90.2 percent (N = 601) of the respondents agreed that it is a good idea to strength the relationship between residents and CHA security.

Almost All Agree: Strengthen The Relationship Between Residents and CHA Police

The survey asked the residents "do you feel it would be a good idea to strengthen the working relationship between CHA police and the CHA residents". The results show that 89.9 percent (N = 595) of the respondents felt it would be a good idea to strengthen the relationship between residents and the CHA police. Only 10.1 percent of the respondents (N = 67) did not agree that it was a good idea to strengthen the relationship between residents and CHA police.

Almost All Agree: Residents and Police Should Work Together in Anti-Crime Programs

The survey asked the residents "do you feel it is a good idea for CHA residents to work together in anti-crime programs with CHA police and CHA security". The results show that 90.5 percent (N = 601) of the respondents do in fact agree: residents and police should work together on anti-crime programs. Those who disagreed were a small minority (N = 63, 9.5%).

Beliefs About Crime in The Complex

A series of three questions were included at the end of the survey to measure beliefs about crime in the complex.

The first question asked the residents "try to give your best estimate of how much of all crime that took place in Altgeld-Murray Homes during 1994 was actually committed by outsiders. Outsiders are those who do not actually live in CHA's Altgeld Gardens. My estimate is that ____ percent of all crime that took place in Altgeld-Murray Homes during 1994 was actually committed by outsiders." The results ranged from a low of zero percent to a high of 100 percent. The mean, or average, was 34.8 percent for what proportion of all crime in the complex was committed by outsiders.

The second question asked the residents "try to give your best estimate of how much of all crime that took place in Altgeld-Murray Homes during 1994 was actually committed by gang members. My estimate is that ____ percent of all crime that took place in Altgeld-Murray Homes during 1994 was actually committed by gang members". Again the results ranged from a low of zero percent to a high of 100 percent. The mean, or average, amount of crime in the complex attributed to gang members was 64.1 percent.

The third question, and final question in the survey, asked the residents "try to give your best estimate of how much of all crime that took place in Altgeld-Murray Homes during 1994 was actually committed by gang members who live in Altgeld-Murray Homes. My estimate is that ____ percent of all crime that took place in Altgeld-Murray Homes during 1994 was actually committed by gang members who live in Altgeld-Murray Homes." The results, again, showed a range between a low of zero percent to a high of 100 percent. The mean, or average, percentage of all crime in the complex attributed to gang members who live in the same complex was 62.1 percent for this sample.

CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS

The unmistakable conclusion from this research is that the 695 residents of this CHA complex under study have experienced more than their national share of crime and violence. However, another truth also emerges from this study: the fact that many of these public housing residents believe that they could do something about the public safety problem if they were provided with the right resources. The results of this research are very consistent in this regard: a very high level of crime, fear, and violence exists, much of it attributed to gangs, and a high level of volunteer willingness also appears to exist among members of this same community to want to do something about these problems.

Thus, the primary conclusion of this research is that while there is much suffering in terms of the quality of life experienced by these public housing residents, there is also great resiliency in terms of their willingness to get involved in supporting programs that could work to prevent, ameliorate, control, suppress, or reduce an assortment of such problems like gang violence.

One recommendation is that additional research and analysis be directed at the geographical variations of crime and violence in this complex. The value would be in using these findings for allocating law enforcement personnel operations and hard security (i.e., target hardening equipment) devices for crime detection in these same areas, as a prevention function.

Another recommendation is that funding be provided to this complex to establish a dispute/conflict resolution center. This research showed a range of such disputes, from property to financial concerns and inter-resident fighting, that would justify such a service. Further, the majority of residents are supportive of the value of such a service. Therefore, it would be a worthwhile experiment to immediately begin this service function for the residents.

It is also important to note that this research was carried out only a matter of days after an important historical date affecting the public housing residents studied here. The historical event occurred on a Tuesday of the same week of data collection, when on Friday of the same week the survey data collection began, and terminated on the following Tuesday, therefore reflecting the one week period after this event. The historical event was the fact that the federal government took over the day to day administration of the Chicago Public Housing Authority for reasons well covered in the national mass media.