David Giacopassi

Gender and Racial Differences in the Acceptance of Rape Myths Within a College Population

Four hundred forty nine students completed a questionnaire that sought to measure degree of acceptance/rejection of nine statements that reflected prejudical, stereotyped, or false beliefs about rape, rape victims, or rapists. These statements, termed rape myths, are seen as reflecting and perpetuating sexual and racial stereotypes as well as serving to demean the victim and hinder the functioning of the criminal justice system. The data indicate that at least a substantial minority of respondents do accept rape myths as valid. Further analysis revealed significant differences by racial and sexual groupings. Results were interpreted through use of the concept of defensive attribution.

Does the Presence of Casinos Increase Crime? An Examination of Casino and Control Communities:

This study is an analysis of crime in six new casino communities and compares the crime rates to those found in six noncasino control communities. The experimental and control communities were matched on 15 socioeconomic variables. The crime rates were calculated using resident population and population at-risk, which includes tourists in the crime rate calculations. Both Part I and Part II crimes were analyzed using data encompassing the pre- and postcasino presence. Crime was expected to rise in the casino communities, consistent with routine activity theory and the belief that casinos serve as hot spots for crime. The analysis yielded few consistent findings across the test and control communities. Crime rates increased significantly in some casino communities, some remained relatively stable, and others decreased. The authors conclude that crime does not inevitably increase with the introduction of a casino into a community, but that the effects of casinos on crime appear to be related to a variety of variables which are only poorly understood.

Assessing the impact of casino gambling on crime in Mississippi

The introduction of legalized gambling into a community has generated a great deal of hubris regarding concomitant criminality. While Las Vegas has long been synonymous with organized crime, the recent focus has been on the connection between traditional crime and legalized gambling. The conventional wisdom among opponents of this new source of revenue is that casinos attract many undesirables to the community, thereby increasing crime and social disorganization. Routine activities theory would suggest that with increased numbers of tourists, more opportunities for crime will exist. To test this proposition, the frequency of crime before and after the introduction of legalized gambling in Biloxi, Mississippi was examined. Larcey-theft and motor vehicle theft were the only categories of crime to show statistically significant change. Robbery and aggravated assault increased, while murder and rape declined, although the change was not statistically significant for any category of violent crime.

An Analysis of the Relationship of Alcohol to Casino Gambling Among College Students.

Research has found significant overlap in the problem drinker and pathological gambler populations. This finding leads to the question of whether the pairing of drinking and gambling at lower levels of intensity is similarly related to a variety of negative consequences. The data for the present study were gathered in Memphis, TN, and Reno, NV, from questionnaires completed by 835 students in two universities. The data indicate that about one-fourth of students who gamble in casinos frequendy or always drink while gambling. Drinking when gambling is significantly related for males, but not for females, to size of bet, obtaining additional money while at the casino, and losing more than one can afford. The analysis suggests that an increased effort should be made to inform even casual drinkers and casual gamblers of the dangers of pairing these behaviors.

Casino gambling and bankruptcy in new United States casino jurisdictions

Abstract Using quarterly data on personal consumer bankruptcy for 1989:Q4 through 1998:Q1, this study examines the impact that the introduction of casino gambling has on per capita personal bankruptcy filings. Eight jurisdictions that have recently adopted gambling are compared with a set of matching control jurisdictions, communities without casinos that are economically and demographically similar to the eight communities. The results reveal that casino gambling is associated with an increase in personal bankruptcy in seven of the eight communities. In five of the seven the increase is statistically significant. However, an increase is not universal and in one community, Harrison County, Mississippi (Biloxi), bankruptcy per capita significantly decreased. It is speculated that this decrease is due to the features of both the community and the casino industry in Biloxi. Finally, the most significant changes in bankruptcy occur among Chapter 13, as opposed to Chapter 7, filings. This suggests that a growing portion of insolvents are creating repayment plans for their debts. Policy implications of the findings are discussed.

Gambling Among Older Adults: A Comparative Analysis

With the spread of gambling in its many forms across the American landscape the question arises as to how senior citizens have been effected. This study examines data on gambling behavior and related attitudes gathered from a random sample of community residents in jurisdictions that had recently allowed casinos to open. Comparisons are made between senior and younger adults regarding their gambling behaviors. Though the results suggest that casino gambling is not a major threat to the elderly it is noted that more extensive research needs to be done to assess the individual and social costs and benefits, if any, associated with large numbers of the elderly regularly participating in gambling as a social activity.

Memphis revisited: A reexamination of police shootings after the Garner decision

Fyfes examination of police shootings in Memphis from 1969 to 1974 revealed that blacks suffered a disproportionate risk of being shot by officers of the Memphis Police Department (MPD) relative to both their proportion of the population and to their arrest rate. During this period, Memphis police were governed by the fleeing felon rule for use of deadly force. After the Garner shooting, the official MPD shooting policies underwent two distinct changes. From 1980 to 1984, use of deadly force was limited to use against fleeing dangerous felons. From 1985 to 1989, the deadly force policy was restricted further to use only for the protection of innocent life. The present analysis is an attempt to determine whether the court decisions and the resultant administrative changes in the MPD deadly force policies have altered the apparently discriminatory pattern of shootings characteristic of the 1969–1974 period.

Demographic Correlates of Sexual and Dating Attitudes: A Study of Date Rape

A probabilistic sample of 449 students from a major university completed the sexual and dating attitudes survey. The responses to the survey questions were compared among the demographic groups of sex, race, age, and religiosity through the use of a test of association and a corresponding test of significance. In addition, two scales were created by examining the attitudinal items through a principal component factor analysis process. The study found that attitudes relating to sex, dating, and date rape are strongly related to gender, with males significantly more likely to hold attitudes condoning aggressive sexual behavior. Implications of these findings were discussed, as were possible solutions to the epidemic level of date rape.

Attitudes of Community Leaders in New Casino Jurisdictions Regarding Casino Gambling's Effects on Crime and Quality of Life

Interviews were conducted with 128 key individuals in seven communities that are new casino jurisdictions. The individuals interviewed are community leaders (mayors, members of the city council, leading members of the business community) or work in areas (banking, law enforcement, social services) which would provide insight into the positive and negative effects that casinos have on communities. A series of core questions were asked of all 128 respondents followed by additional questions designed to elicit specific information based on the individuals position. A content analysis was conducted comparing responses both within and between communities by leadership position. Findings indicate that a clear majority (59%) of those interviewed are in favor of the casino in the community, believe the casino enhances the quality of life in the community (65%), and believe that the casino has a positive effect on the economy (77%). Although a majority of the community leaders interviewed view the impact of casinos favorably, responses vary both by community and by position within the community. Finally, since ths group of community leaders was not selected randomly, it is possible that unintended interview bias shifted these results in a positive direction.

Broken windows, crumpled fenders, and crime

Abstract This study uses state-level and city-level data from the U.S. to assess the relationship between the homicide rate and the motor-vehicle fatality rate. The analysis of ecological data for a multiyear period reveals that there is a mild to moderate relationship between homicide rates and traffic-fatality rates. The limitations of ecological data are discussed. The authors argue that law enforcement can play a minor but significant role in determining the level of each type of fatality and that public perception of police activity is important. Police are most visible in their patrol and traffic functions and research suggests that controlling traffic flow has an effect on crime. Alternatively, the traffic equivalent to “broken windows” might be “crumpled fenders.” Lack of enforcement may send a signal to residents that police are absent or uncaring, leading not only to a disregard of the traffic safety rules and to higher accident rates but also to higher rates of crime in the community generally, as reflected through the homicide statistics.