Fear of Crime and Emotional Reactions to Police Surveillance Among Bronx Residents

Background: The current pilot study examines reactions to surveillance techniques used by law enforcement and whether these reactions are associated with fear of crime. Objective: To understand how Bronx residents understand the use of suvrveillance technology used in their community. Method: Data were collected on N = 202 adults ( M age = 39.4 years), primarily identifying as Hispanic/Latino ( n = 102) or Black/African American ( n = 99). Using vignettes, participants were probed about four surveillance techniques: X-ray vans, gunshot detection (audio sensors), gang database, and cellphone tracking. Findings: Cellphone tracking evoked the most negative feelings, while audio sensors were associated with feelings of safety. Participants who felt greater safety also felt less angry, threatened, and creeped out, and vice versa. Fear of crime was not associated with any of the emotional reactions; however, men reported more anger toward these techniques than women. Conclusions: Attitudes and feelings towwards surveilllance are nuanced by the scope and scale.

Anger · Feeling · Law enforcement · Poison control · Suicide prevention · Crime Patterns and Interventions · Deception detection and forensic psychology · Human Factors and Ergonomics · Policing Practices and Perceptions