Neighborhood Ties, Control, and Crime

Abstract

AbstractSince E. A. Ross's ([1901] 1929) seminal work at the beginning of the twentieth century, social control has emerged as a central concept in American sociology. Recent research indicates that neighborhoods with high levels of informal social control have lower crime rates. This article reviews findings on the role of neighborhood social ties in providing informal social control and preventing crime, both theoretically and empirically. It discusses the important gaps in knowledge that are considered crucial in better understanding the role played by social ties in social control and crime prevention. The article first describes Clifford R. Shaw and Henry D. McKay's social disorganization theory and its extension, the systemic model of social disorganization. It then emphasizes the need to distinguish social disorganization theory from deterrence theory, highlighting the implications for models of justice and identifying areas for future research.