ABSTRACT
Social disorganization theory encourages researchers to consider “kinds of places” rather than “kinds of people” for understanding why some communities experience more crime than others. It posits that neighborhood structural conditions such as poverty and residential instability are related to crime largely indirectly through neighborhood processes such as collective efficacy. These processes emphasize the importance of mutual trust and the willingness to engage in informal social control for the common good. In this chapter, we review social disorganization theory’s basic tenets; identify useful takeaways for creating evidence-based programs, policies, and practices; and describe three crime prevention strategies that align conceptually with lessons learned from the theory: community violence outreach programs, community-based mentoring and after-school programs for youth, and place-based improvements to the physical environment.
