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Abstract Although much research on rural "boomtowns" explores differences between rapid‐growth communities and more stable communities, it is logical to consider that residents within rural boomtowns experience community transitions in different ways. We examine a specific outcome, fear of crime, across three categories of community residents with different migration histories: lifetime residents, migrants who joined the boomtown community during its period of rapid growth, and post‐boom period migrants. This perspective is particularly interesting, given the likelihood that these three different categories of residents have had substantially different community experiences. Making use of survey data from two intermountain West communities that represent resource‐dependent transitions during the 1970s and 1980s (Evanston, Wyoming and Delta, Utah), we find that boom migrants express greater fear of crime than longer‐term residents or post‐boom migrants. The findings suggest that the longer‐term decline in fear of crime in "post‐boom" periods is not equal among residents.

AbstractFirearm-related violence is a significant threat to public health and safety in America. However, research highlights a critical disparity in firearm-related deaths by race. Researchers often cite racial bias as a contributing factor for the racial disparity in firearm-related deaths. To provide a foundation for potential social work interventions, the present article discusses the results of an assessment of whether explicit racial biases toward four racial and ethnic groups (white, black, Asian, Hispanic/Latino), fear of crime, and the quantity and quality of interactions with neighbors of a different race are predictors of gun ownership. Findings suggest that explicit racial bias toward black, Asian, and Hispanic/Latino individuals is a significant predictor of gun ownership. Fear of crime and more frequent interactions with neighbors of a different race are also significant predictors of gun ownership. Taken as a whole, findings suggest that gun owners are more likely to be more vigilant toward people of color because of stereotypical assumptions that racial and ethnic minorities are more likely to be involved with crime. Social work practice and policy implications include developing interventions aimed at reducing implicit bias and identifying policies that are associated with lower levels of implicit bias among gun owners.

The study explains the nature and strength of the influence of the determinants of fear of crime. According to other studies gender, age, education, place of residence, material status, worldview and religious orientation, victimization influence the level of fear of crime. In order to verify the impact of these factors, the CATREG analysis technique was used. Variables such as the level of anomie, crime, unemployment and suicide rates were introduced, as an original author's concept. A model of factors influencing fear of crime was created. The most important element of it turned out to be prior victimization, as well as – to a lesser extent – negative attitudes towards state institutions that are to ensure safety and the occupation.

'Das Thema Jugendkriminalität wird sowohl in der Forschung als auch in der öffentlichen Diskussion vorrangig mit Blick auf den jugendlichen Täter behandelt. Die Beschäftigung mit dem jugendlichen Opfer dagegen wird weitestgehend vernachlässigt - obwohl besonders Jugendliche einem nicht unerheblichen Risiko einer Viktimisierung ausgesetzt sind, welche darüber hinaus die Entwicklung eines Heranwachsenden besonders negativ beeinflussen kann. Die vorliegende empirische Untersuchung geht sowohl in einer qualitativen als auch in einer quantitativen Teilstudie der Frage nach, ob Jugendliche tatsächlich eine Bedrohung durch Kriminalität wahrnehmen und wie groß ihre Furcht ist, Opfer krimineller Handlungen zu werden. Es zeigt sich u.a., dass die Jugendlichen deutliche Defizite im allgemeinen Sicherheitserleben aufweisen. Des weiteren ergeben sich Hinweise auf Gefühle der Unterlegenheit gegenüber Erwachsenen und mangelndes Vertrauen in gesellschaftliche Institutionen. Ebenso wird deren Aufklärungsangebot zum Thema Kriminalität als unzureichend wahrgenommen, während die Aufklärung durch die Eltern und Vertrauen in diese als positiv erlebt werden. Die Ergebnisse werden vor dem Hintergrund der Forschung zum interpersonalen Vertrauen im Hinblick auf Präventions- und Interventionsmöglichkeiten diskutiert.' (Autorenreferat)