The Effect of Non-Criminal Prevention Methods on the Sense of Security among Young Adults in Broujerd

Security is one of the fundamental and natural needs of humans. It has both objective and subjective-psychological dimensions. In this study, its subjective dimension (feeling of security) is considered. Sense of security as a socio-psychological phenomenon is influenced by the direct or indirect experiences of people in different social situations and people need it to achieve a healthy life and sustain social relationships. Feeling of security may not be obtainable at the same level for different classes of society and certain segments of society may feel less secure than the others. In other words, they see their own interests at risk more than the others. Crime prevention in specific meaning of Delinquency Prevention consists of a set of non-coercive measures designed to achieve a particular purpose, i.e. inhibition of crime, reducing crime, and reducing the severity of the offense. Social security feeling is a manifestation of the efforts of systems for prevention of social insecurity and anarchy to manage a healthy society. The main objective of this study is to examine the feeling of security among the youth in Broujerd. It is measured in terms of the effect of non-criminal prevention methods on the level of social security feeling. In the first section of this study, theoretical background and the related literatures are reviewed. In the next section the collected are presented from the target statistical population by using questionnaires. Then data are examined to verify if the lack of security feeling is really caused by the lack of security or some other reasons can contribute to feeling of security? What are the factors influencing this feeling? Then some non-criminal methods for prevention of offenses leading to insecurity feeling among young in Broujerd are proposed. In this study, the study population included all 14-29 years old people living in the city of Broujerd. Based on the definition of national youth organization, people in this age group are considered as young. Their number according to the last census conducted by the Statistics Centre is equal to 117269. Due to the nature and extent of the statistical population, the method of random sampling was used. According to Cochran formula, 384 questionnaires were used to assess respondent's views. Considering the measurement of the variables, the statistics data were appropriately analyzed. Extraction, coding and analysis of data and preparation of tables and diagrams were performed using Excel and SPSS software. In describing the data, descriptive statistics such as frequency distribution (one-dimensional tables and charts) were used. For data analysis, inferential statistics and statistics tests (such as two-dimensional tables and correlation intensity tests appropriate to research questions and considering the measurement of variables) were used. The main hypothesis of the research is that developing and implementing the non-criminal prevention programs plays an important role in the social and environmental security and increases the security feeling of citizens by eliminating the root causes of crimes. Discussion of Results and According to the results, it can be concluded that identifying and controlling factors that cause crime and insecurity is more effective than any other measure which is taken to keep the community in comfort. To achieve this important goal, promoting religious beliefs as well as the use of strategies to support individuals and families, besides the activities of the police and the judicial system can be very effective in controlling crime and increasing the sense of security in society. The results indicate that people have a positive view about the non-criminal crime prevention programs and they think that these measures have a very positive impact on the environmental and social health and security of the people. Among the personal characteristics such as gender, marital status, place of residence, age and educational level, only two variables-gender and marital status- were effective and in significant relationship with the security feeling of the individuals. The rest of the hypotheses were rejected. According to the research findings, the feeling of calm (in general) in Broujerd is moderate and in regard to calm feeling level in its different districts, responses indicate that this level is moderate to high. This difference suggests that the feeling of security among urban population is less than residential areas in Broujerd. In other words, the results suggest that respondents have a greater sense of insecurity and fear in the areas outside their residential region. In relation to the impact of each factor in prevention of crime and insecurity, strengthening the religious culture and expansion of “encouraging the good and discouraging the wrong” have higher ranks in the responses obtained from people. The lowest rank is for police activity in public places. Results show that the proportion of people who think that non-criminal prevention programs are effective in making a healthy social environment and increase the sense of security by identifying and removing the root causes of crime, is higher than the average.