Examining collective efficacy and perceptions of policing in East Baltimore

Abstract

This study examines how residents from a high-crime, high-poverty neighborhood in East Baltimore interact with one another, participate in their community, and perceive police. Using community surveys collected from 191 respondents, the study empirically measures collective efficacy, community participation, and police services and encounters. We predict that high levels of collective efficacy lead to more positive perceptions of police and an increased willingness to work with law enforcement. The results indicate that neighborhood trust is an important factor in shaping a community’s overall perception of police. Furthermore, older residents who own their homes are more likely to report a more positive perception of police, specifically police response.