And while we’re dealing with misconceptions, has anybody in Australia studied the effectiveness of the CCTV cameras in public places councils seem to like so much? IIRC British evidence suggests that while they don’t actually reduce crime, they reduce people’s fears of crime.

The fictional serial killers is a great question, because it is a sub-genre all its own, which reflects the reader’s psychological needs.

On CCTV, yes, and yes, the picture here is the same as in the UK. A lot of them aren’t even monitored.

Yet another thought provoking post. How do you blog all of this and write a Ph.D? Positively, “Trollopian” or even “Quigginesque”! Much appreciated though.

And Robert Merkel, yes! LOL! I’m bored rigid with the serial killer genre. Have been after “Henry”. “Se7en” was a nasty, derivative film.

A contributing factor must be the relatively recent increase in the “liquidity” of consumer durables via places like Cash Converters. Conversion of stolen property in a pub or off the back of the proverbial truck is largely a thing of the past.

And certainly, here in S.A. there has been no shortage of whipping up fear of crime, especially in relation to so called “home invasions”, the activities of bikie gangs, recreational drugs etc. Concomitantly with the now expected “remedies” of tougher penalties, longer sentences, increased policing and police rights.

As to blogging/thesising, I wrote this in an email today:

“I really like the instant feedback I get on my writing – not something that’s too common in academia (often conference sessions can be too agenda/ego driven).

As to the thesis, blogging is part a distraction/form of procrastination and part a technique to keep me in sharp writing form. Occasionally I try out some ideas too.”

But I’m wondering as Chris did at BackPages when he pulled the plug in order to concentrate on pulling together his book, whether I might need to take a break or at least slow the pace.

At this stage, 22 January is the big date for finishing – and I plan not to do anything much between Xmas and New Years. So I’m keeping the time commitment to blogging under review.

On Cash Converters etc, when I was living in West End about 10 years ago, people’s homes used to be regularly burgled for cds, which would land the next day in this local record store. The proprietor seemed to have cut out the middle man. I was really pleased to see rising rents forced him out of business – needless to say he didn’t generate much local goodwill.

I think youre right in saying that the fear of crime is just as much a problem as the actual prevelance of crime. If people are living in fear of crime it leaves them open to exploitation from corporations with the latest security grills and so forth. If you scare people, they will do whatever you want. Id say it also contributed to child obesity and so forth as parents are too afriad to let their kids out of the house for fear they might be abducted.

I also agree on the point that we need more community crime prevention programs. If everyone looked out for everyone else, there simply would not be as much crime as there is.

Agreed, Nic – but one of the biggest challenges in designing community crime prevention programmes is actually involving the community as well as vested interests.