Community Safety Research Articles

The role of community policing in the Addis Ababa City Administration's efforts to maintain community safety and security

This study aimed to assess the role of community policing in maintaining community safety and security in the Addis Ababa city administration and to assess the role of community policing in maintaining community safety and security community policing initiatives, information sharing, and attitudes toward community policing among community members on local security management practices. A descriptive case study was adopted, in which the target population of 328 respondents was stratified randomly into three sub-cities: Arada, Kirkos, and Addis Ketema. A structure questionnaire was used as the research instrument. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The findings revealed that the role of community polices included paper initiatives among members, information sharing on community policing, and community policing among community members because there were no local security management practices affecting security practices. It was recommended that the community be made aware of their role in community policing and that the police should ensure that they interact well with the community so that the members of the community will willingly provide information to the police, which may help prevent crime.

‘The ones in red:’ people who use drugs’ experiences of the Janus-faced nature of police volunteerism

ABSTRACT Championed as an economic strategy to enhance community safety and reduce the need for formal police response to social disorder, volunteer policing groups have become a common sight in many urban centres. They represent a key element of police civilianisation, with existing research unmasking how they differ from other civilian personnel and their relationship with sworn police officers. Far less, however, is known about how marginalised groups, such as People Experiencing Houselessness (PEH) and People Who Use Drugs (PWUD), experience and perceive police volunteers. Drawing upon 50 semi-structured interviews with unhoused PWUD in Lethbridge, Alberta (Canada), we interrogate how participants experienced, perceived, and engaged with an unpaid police volunteer group responsible for addressing downtown community safety – the Lethbridge Police Service’s Ambassador Watch Programme (The Watch). Our findings show participants held diverse and often conflicting perceptions of this group, with The Watch serving as 1) caring agents, 2) agents of surveillance and control, and 3) a medium for police intervention. We argue that despite some of the benefits provided by police volunteer groups, they may exacerbate harm and feelings of insecurity for marginalised people when organised and managed by police agencies.

Intimate partner violence and academic challenges among college students: The role of campus belonging and campus community safety.

Intimate partner violence and academic challenges among college students: The role of campus belonging and campus community safety.

Photomonitoring as a Tool for Monitoring Landslides: A Technology within Everyone’s Reach

Landslides pose significant threats to human lives and infrastructure, making accurate monitoring essential for understanding and preventing these events. Photomonitoring, utilizing optical/multispectral sensors and digital image processing techniques, has emerged as a valuable tool for studying and monitoring landslide deformation processes. This article explores the application of photomonitoring in landslide studies, presenting three diverse case studies showcasing its efficacy and versatility. The technique allows for continuous, automated, and real-time monitoring of landslide events, providing valuable insights into displacement patterns and deformation trends. To enhance its usability, the software IRIS was developed to analyze data acquired from various platforms and sensors. This innovative solution promises to improve landslide management, contributing to better comprehension, prevention, and mitigation strategies, ultimately ensuring the safety of communities and infrastructure in landslide-prone regions.

Charting sustainable urban development through a systematic review of SDG11 research

The Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 11 underscores the imperative of creating inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable cities and communities by 2030. Here we employ bibliometric techniques to assess the evolving landscape of SDG11 research. Using a comprehensive dataset of over 21,000 scholarly publications, we investigate publication trends, thematic focus areas, authorship patterns, keyword co-occurrences and citation networks related to SDG11 research. The results reveal a consistent increase in research output, reflecting the growing global interest in urban sustainability studies. We identify influential authors, organizations and countries shaping the research landscape, highlighting existing global collaborative networks and emerging research hubs. Core thematic areas emphasize critical topics and interdisciplinary connections. Citation networks underscore the impacts of disseminating research outputs, including seminal works. This study offers insights for policymakers, academics and practitioners to align their collective efforts toward sustainable, inclusive and climate-resilient urban development. Moreover, it advances SDG11 by noting opportunities for further research, knowledge dissemination and international collaboration.

Cultivating Community: Addressing Social Sustainability in Rapidly Urbanizing Hyderabad City, Pakistan

In the modern dialogue of urban planning, social sustainability emerges as a crucial focus, especially in swiftly expanding cities like Hyderabad, Pakistan. Despite its importance, social sustainability is frequently overlooked, particularly in developing regions. This research examines the planning frameworks shaping socially sustainable residential areas in Qasimabad Taluka, Hyderabad City. Once lush farmland, Qasimabad has swiftly transformed into residential sectors. This transition has led to declining living standards and weakened social sustainability metrics. Through meticulous analysis, this study evaluates the community engagement, inclusivity and accessibility, social cohesion and safety, and facilities and amenities factors of social sustainability in the residential neighborhoods of Qasimabad Taluka using field visits and a comprehensive questionnaire survey with a sample size of 307 adopting cluster and quota sampling techniques. Data analysis with SPSS-22, supported by reliability, exploratory factor analysis, and Yeh’s satisfaction index model reveals key elements such as community accessibility, safety, green spaces, and aesthetic appeal. The findings reveal deteriorating infrastructure in Qasimabad, emphasizing the necessity for substantial interventions in infrastructure development, public space revitalization, and the cultivation of civic consciousness. Addressing these issues is vital for fostering neighborhoods that are both livable and socially cohesive. By shedding light on these critical needs, urban planners can effectively create sustainable living environments in Qasimabad Taluka.

Supplemental Material for Intimate Partner Violence and Academic Challenges Among College Students: The Role of Campus Belonging and Campus Community Safety

Supplemental Material for Intimate Partner Violence and Academic Challenges Among College Students: The Role of Campus Belonging and Campus Community Safety

Transient behaviour and heat transfer characteristics in debris beds: Simulation and analysis of the LIVEJ2 experiment

Multiple uncertainties still exist about the state of the debris in Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station (1F). In the past, the attention of the nuclear safety community was focused on the heat transfer characteristics in the case of an homogeneous pool, but little attention was given to address the melting and heat transfer in the presence of a debris bed constituted of materials with different melting points. This condition represents a challenge for CFD analyses, because it includes multi-physics conditions, such as a low melting point fluid convecting into a debris bed surrounded by a crust on the vessel wall which has received little attention compared to classical CFD analyses. Even though a comprehensive analysis of a related experiment (i.e. LIVE-J2) has been performed recently by Madokoro et al. (2023) little attention on the results has been paid to the effect of debris bed porosity and the existence of a gap between the vessel wall and the crust. In the paper we have modified the porosity resistance based on the Ergun equation and proposed a simple model for the gap conductance in the lower part of the crust. The results show an improvement in the prediction of the thermal stratification and the vessel temperature in the lower locations. In addition, highlight that such phenomena constitute key parameters to keep into consideration in the simulation of prototypical cases both for CFD and lumped parameter codes (e.g. MELCOR, MAAP).

Preparedness of Lab School Middle School Students Towards Earthquakes for Disaster Risk Reduction

The primary objective of this research is to observe and analyze the preparedness of Labschool Middle School students in Palu City for Disaster Risk Reduction. The population in this study consisted of all students at Palu City Labschool Middle School, using a total sampling technique, resulting in a sample size of 100 students. Data was collected using structured questionnaires that were directly filled out by the students. The questionnaires were designed to cover all aspects of the research variables and provide a comprehensive assessment of the student's preparedness. Data processing in this study utilized a computerized system via MS Excel. Knowledge: 95% of respondents rated their knowledge on the subject as not good. This indicates that the majority of respondents have a poor understanding of the topic. Early Warning System: 57% of respondents rated the early warning system as not good. Resource Mobilization: 73% of respondents rated resource mobilization as not good. This indicates significant issues in resource mobilization, with the majority of respondents feeling that improvements are needed in this area. The findings indicate a significant gap in disaster preparedness among Labschool Middle School students. The majority lack basic knowledge about natural disasters and have minimal exposure to disaster-related training or education. Despite the availability of disaster warning tools in schools, awareness and understanding of their use remain limited. An effective early warning system is crucial for community safety, yet many students exhibit low awareness and preparedness levels

Artificial intelligence (AI) and process safety: Some cautionary observations

AbstractArtificial intelligence (AI) has become a vogue topic in the press, and descriptions of its potential impact range from apocalyptic to salvational. Interest in the topic will no doubt stimulate the search for applications to support both the technical and management systems aspects of process safety management. Within our industries, maintaining institutional memory and technical capability is made increasingly challenging by more frequent job movement among younger staff and the loss to the retirement of more senior staff. One would hope that AI could help fill the gaps caused by these factors. However, the author's sampling of current AI capabilities suggests that AI is not yet ready to do so. This paper provides some examples of errors and insufficiencies identified when seeking AI assistance in addressing process safety issues. It also suggests some existing challenges to better “training” of AI to support the needs of the process safety community. It concludes that caution should be applied, especially by less experienced personnel, when seeking AI assistance in addressing process safety–related technical matters.

A health equity ECHO for clinicians of individuals with SCD

Abstract SCD is the most common genetic disorder in the United States, affecting nearly 100 000 Americans, with the majority of affected individuals identifying as Black. Studies have shown that both children and adults with SCD face stigmatization resulting in low-quality care stemming from institutional racism and implicit bias by clinicians. Clinician biases often result from a lack of awareness of their own racial identity, failure to develop an anti-racist or social justice lens, and absence of skills to mitigate racist practices and policies. The Sickle Treatment and Outcomes Research in the Midwest (STORM) multi-state regional learning network developed a health equity training curriculum that was delivered as a continuing education learning series using the Project ECHO® virtual telementoring framework supplemented with an online learning management system. The curriculum addressed foundations of race, racism, and whiteness along with social justice strategies for the individual and institutional level and was piloted with 2 clinician cohorts to assess its feasibility, acceptability, and the potential impact on clinician self-efficacy. Feasibility and acceptability data, including qualitative feedback, suggest that this is a promising method for multidisciplinary clinicians and trainees for raising self-awareness about racism and bias, providing a safe community for self-reflection, and building skills to address inequities within healthcare settings.

Increasing Security Levels in the Tourism and Air-Transport Industries Could Enhance African People’s Quality of Life and Tourism Demand

The aims of this study are to analyze the tourism and air-transport industries in Africa and determine how African governments could improve the safety of tourists and local communities in this region to improve resident quality of life and tourism demand. Indeed, this study tries to improve African people’s lives through the tourism and travel sectors so that they can thrive in terms of their quality of life and happiness. The findings of the current study reveal that Morocco, Egypt, South Africa, and Tunisia are the most visited countries by international tourists; in fact, these four countries are the ones that generated the most income from international tourism in the period analyzed. Moreover, the results suggest that the tourism and air-transport industries in Africa could improve national economies, infrastructure, and resident quality of life thanks to international tourism receipts and increasing security levels around travel and tourism activities. Obviously, the tourism industry cannot be developed when there is constant insecurity, terrorism, and perpetual armed conflicts, as is the case in Nigeria, Somalia, DR Congo, Libya, Mali, and Cameroon, among many others. Security is the most important factor for a tourist destination because the safety and security of residents and tourists are the primary factors affecting tourism growth. The novelty of this research resides in its willingness to improve African people’s quality of life through air-transport and tourism activities, providing security guarantees for tourist and resident safety. This manuscript also contributes to enhancing and bootstrapping the literature on security in the travel and tourism sectors industry, particularly in Africa, where security is a priority more than a necessity.

Tinjauan Hukum Pidana Islam terhadap Tindakan Tidak Melaporkan Transaksi Narkotika

Ideally, reporting narcotics transactions is a moral and legal obligation to maintain the safety and welfare of the community. However, in practice, many individuals fail to report such actions, creating gaps in law enforcement and community protection efforts. The purpose of this study is to analyze the Islamic Criminal Law perspective on the failure to report narcotics transactions and assess the extent to which Islamic principles such as Maṣlaḥah Mursalah, Amar Ma'ruf Nahi Munkar, and Islamic ethics and morality are applicable. The research methodology employed is a qualitative approach with library research and normative analysis. The study finds that the failure to report narcotics transactions contradicts the principle of Maṣlaḥah Mursalah, which prioritizes public interest and community safety. Additionally, such actions violate the principle of Amar Ma'ruf Nahi Munkar, which calls for the prevention of wrongdoing. The research also reveals that this non-compliance is inconsistent with Islamic ethics and morality, which emphasize individual responsibility in promoting the common good and protecting the community from harm.

Risky Weapon Carrying Behaviors, Youth Violence, and Substance Use Among Young Black Males in Chicago: A Cross-sectional Analysis.

. The study evaluates the prevalence of risky weapon-carrying behaviors (WCB) among YBM in Chicago and examines their associations with various forms of direct and vicarious violence-youth violence, community violence, and partner abuse-as well as substance use and substance-related aggression. . We performed Pearson Chi-square tests and multivariable negative binomial regression analysis on cross-sectional data from 266 violence-involved young Black males (YBM) in Chicago. This data was collected using a modified version of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Youth Risk Behavior Survey. Our dependent variable, weapon-carrying behavior, was measured by the frequency of weapon carrying, including items such as guns, knives, and clubs, over the past year. . In a sample of 266 YBM (ages 15-24, 99% African American), the mean age was 18.32 ±3.10 years, and 42.7% had some high school education. The 30-day weapon-carrying incidence was 17.3%, with 19.1% threatening someone with a weapon ≥ 2-3 times in the past year. About one-third engaged in partner violence (30.4%), primarily psychological (36.7%) and physical (28.3%) abuse. Approximately 64.8% experienced some form of violence or aggression in the past year, and 76.4% witnessed community violence. Over 20.8% reported binge drinking, and 43.6% engaged in illicit drug use, with 37.2% participating in or initiating violent acts following alcohol or drug consumption. Negative binomial regression results revealed that exposure to direct and vicarious violence, along with substance use, significantly increased the likelihood of carrying weapons. Specific risk factors such as recent threats or injuries, witnessing violence, involvement in physical altercations, and substance-related aggression significantly predict WCB. Age and relationship dynamics also critically influence these behaviors. Additionally, for each year of age, the risk for WCB increased by 22%. This study identified significant associations between different types of violence, substance use, and risky WCB among YBM in Chicago. The results underscore the need for comprehensive, culturally sensitive, multifaceted interventions addressing both individual and psychosocial factors behind risky WCB. These interventions are crucial for reducing gun violence and improving urban community safety, offering vital data to inform policies and interventions for youth protection in similar environments.

Are police as “guardian-oriented” as they should be? Expectation-reality discrepancies are related to perceptions of legitimacy

PurposeDue to instances of excessive use of force by police and in recognition of the importance of building positive police-community relationships, policymakers have urged police to become more guardian-oriented (i.e., prioritizing community safety and relationships) and less warrior-oriented (i.e., prioritizing physical control and fighting crime). The purpose of this study was to examine whether community members think police should be guardian- or warrior-oriented and how they view police in their community. MethodsYoung adult participants from Prolific Academic (N = 436) self-reported their perceptions of police in an online survey. ResultsParticipants preferred police to have more of a guardian than warrior orientation and thought police are not as guardian-oriented as they should be. Further, if police did not meet guardian expectations, participants had more negative perceptions of police legitimacy. ConclusionsExpectations for police behavior may influence police legitimation and, within the context of police reform, community members support the call for police to be more guardian-oriented by prioritizing community safety and building relationships. Fostering a guardian orientation in police is particularly important for police that are interested in promoting perceptions of legitimacy among the communities they serve.

An activity theory perspective on interprofessional teamwork in long-term care.

Teamwork in healthcare is shaped by reciprocal interactions among individual team members and their clinical context. Cultural Historical Activity Theory (CHAT) provides a framework to study teamwork from a developmental perspective. We observed interactions between members of an Interprofessional Healthcare Team (IHT) to identify practical guidelines for educators. Three Health Care Providers (HCPs) with more than 22-years' experience in a semi-urban LTC facility participated. We video-recorded two regular IHT meetings and selected excerpts for subsequent video-recall interviews. The excerpts were shown and discussed first with each team member, then with members in pairs and finally with all members reunited. We prompted participants to explain what was happening on the videos. All interviews were recorded, transcribed, and analyzed using CHAT's unit of analysis based on Activity Systems. We observed contradictions within the Activity Systems involving diverging views on outcomes of enhancing or maintaining quality of life; using non-traditional tools and spaces to sustain resident mobility; safeguarding community and patient safety despite time constraints and job titles, and unease for being paid to perform unconventional interventions. The contradictions have been grouped into three themes reflecting the Activity Systems: 1) enhancing versus maintaining quality of life; 2) improvising to achieve care goals; and 3) role fluidity. Our findings show that practical goal-oriented and contextual adaptations rely heavily on improvisation and dialogue. Educating HCPs for interprofessional teamwork should focus on developing situational awareness to foster continuous adaptation of disciplinary interventions.

Evaluation of the Drainage Channel Capacity of Air Ukah in Ngabang

Flooding in Ngabang, Landak Regency, Kalimantan Barat often results from high rainfall, urban expansion, and limited drainage. This study analyzes the Air Ukah drainage system, including primary, secondary, and tertiary channels, to assess current capacities against projected rainfall intensities. Hydraulic and hydrological analyses were performed using primary field data and validated rainfall records from 1999-2020. Findings reveal that the existing drainage, with the primary channel’s 5.20 m³/s capacity, the secondary channel at 0.36 m³/s, and tertiary channels at 0.82 m³/s, cannot accommodate maximum discharge, particularly for a 100-year return period rainfall of 114.27 mm/hour. To address this, channels were expanded: the primary channel was widened to 6.5 m and deepened to 3.5 m, increasing its capacity to 11.83 m³/s. The secondary and tertiary channels were similarly upgraded, now accommodating 2.40 m³/s and a cumulative 34.07 m³/s. These modifications significantly enhance drainage capacity, preparing Ngabang to handle intense rain events and mitigating flood risks, particularly in urban areas. This upgraded system now meets the need for resilience against extreme rainfall, ensuring improved water management and community safety.

Child Home Safety in Hispanic and Rural Communities Along the Texas–Mexico Border: A Community Health Worker Intervention

Low-income children are among the most affected by unintentional injuries. Although these injuries are preventable, outreach to low-income families in Hispanic and rural communities can be challenging. Community Health Workers (CHWs) are effective partners in reaching these populations. This study sought to determine whether a CHW-led intervention would reduce common hazards that increase the risk of unintentional injuries in low-income rural Hispanic homes along the Texas–Mexico border. CHWs conducted home visits to assess for injury hazards and distribute safety devices to 47 families with children ages 0 to 5 in five low-income rural border communities. CHWs provided follow-up assessments and support 30 days later. Analyses examined changes in the proportion of hazards from visits 1 to 2, with relative risks estimating the impact of safety devices on hazard reduction. Findings showed a 26.2% reduction in the total number of common hazards present in homes from visit 1 to visit 2 ( p < .001). There was a 70% reduction in the overall risk of a hazard being present at visit 2, relative to visit 1 ( relative risk = 0.30, 95% CI [0.28, 0.33], p < .001). This study suggests that tailored CHW interventions can reduce home safety hazards. CHWs are well suited to inform hard-to-reach Hispanic and rural populations, addressing feelings of distrust and promoting acceptance of recommended environmental changes. More rigorous evaluations of this intervention strategy are needed.

Framing Amish victimization and security through the lens of criminological theory

AbstractThis article explores the crime experience of the Amish, a rural-located religious subculture that is rarely studied by criminologists. Evidence is derived from narratives of crime experiences reported by scribes to a monthly Amish periodical called The Diary. Every month there are reports about community events from hundreds of Amish settlements, including crime. A routine activities approach helps frame the results. From 168 crime narratives, both burglary/attempted burglary and larceny/attempted larceny are the most frequently described. Suggestions for future research, including an expanded collection of crime narratives from The Diary, plus interviews with both law enforcement and other criminal justice practitioners and Amish crime victims will advance criminological understandings of Amish vulnerability to crime. The article concludes with suggested actions to improve safety and security for Amish communities using environmental criminology theories.

The Stroll Safe Outdoor Falls Prevention Program: Participant Experiences in Naturally Occurring Retirement Community Program Sites

Abstract Date Presented 03/21/24 The qualitative findings from an efficacy trial for the Stroll Safe outdoor falls prevention program will be presented. Results reveal a number of program benefits, including increased safe community mobility strategy use. Primary Author and Speaker: Tracy Chippendale Contributing Authors: Szu-Wei Chen