Perceptions of Violent Crime Among a Sample of Bronx College Students: Results From Focus Groups

Abstract

Purpose:This study sought to understand how a convenient sample of college students between the ages of 20 and 35 years of age in the Bronx perceive and experience violent crime (VC). The focus of the study is on perceptions of risk and an exploration of crime prevention strategies.Methods:This project conducted two online focus groups with a sample of 24 young adults residing in the Bronx, NY, enrolled at the higher education institution in Spring 2021 and Fall 2022. The main research questions are the following: (a) How do young adults in the Bronx perceive and better understand VC risk? (b) What are the young people’s proposals or ideas to develop prevention strategies to address VC in the Bronx? The focus groups were held online using Zoom and Mentimeter.Results:Study participants expressed concerns about feeling unheard and feeling of a constant threat to their safety. They expressed a lack of trust for the existing political and social programs and did not express strong community ties and community engagement. This research suggests a promise of using spatial research to engage young adults in the Bronx in VC prevention and advocacy programs.Conclusions:Overall, this study found an active voice in young adults when discussing VC. Participants expressed a need for community dialogue and action to address the increasing trend of VC in the Bronx.