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Applied Research
UACDC Community Anticrime Initative
Background
The overarching purpose of this initiative, carried out through a collaborative partnership between the School of Social Work and the Department of Criminology, was to develop a coordinated effort the collection and analysis of data relevant to increasing a sense of safety and well-being among those who live and work within the University Area community. This was accomplished by:
1. Developing a methodology for the identification and collection of community-level data
2. Integrating data and information across components of the project to establish an integraterd view for understanding the impact of community characteristics on personal safety and well-being
3. Documenting/archiving the processes used in this study to promote replication by other interested communities.
Selected Findings
 Developing the structure and format for a University Area Community Indicators Database (UACID) in order to monitor and assess changes in neighborhood social and economic conditions over time. The CID will support the University Area in becoming more proactive in setting policy and planning for future initiatives to promote safety and revitalization of the target area.
 Creating a Quality of Life survey instrument to assess residents perceptions and attitudes on issues of community social organization and crime. Three data collection methodologies were also developed for survey implementation.
Two empirical literature reviews were prepared summarizing bestr practices in criminology to address neighborhood effects on crim, and to promote safety through community development. This “best practice” information will be analyzed to extract strategies useful to meeting the goals for continued UACDC anti-crime efforts.
Preparing a baseline report on social, economic, and demographic conditions that currently exist within the University Area community. Secondary data were extracted, analyzed and archived to establish a starting point, or baseline, for assessing quality of life within the University Area.
Creating thematic maps using Geographic Information System (GIS) technology to spatially examine social and economic characteristics of the University Area community. Thirty-four asset maps were developed for the target area.
Practical Implications
This community anti-crime initiative provides an opportunity to develop interdisciplinary collaborating with neighborhood residents and organizations in an effort to enhance quality of life in an urban area. Outcomes achieved during the first year of this ongoing project reveal the importance of using a data-drive approach to the community problem-solving by analyzing information for best practice strategies that for the needs and assets of the University Area.
Belmont Heights
Background
The Belmont Heights Estates (BHE) community is the result of a new Hope IV project that was developed by the Tampa Housing Authority (THA). Construction for this project was initially funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. BHE replaced two distressed public housing communities (College Hill Homes and Ponce de Leon Courts), which were demolished for this project. BHE is a mixed-income community with some of the housing stock rented at market rates. Most of the residents, however, receive some form of an affordable housing subsidy.
In conjunction with larger project to assess baseline community economic data regarding the area in and around the BHE community, a proposal was put forth to incorporate community resident perceptions of the social and economic impact of this newly developed community. In response, a pre and post survey was conducted to assess resident attitudes and social and market needs. Data was also collected that described the workforce that resides at BHE.
Graduate Student Involvement
Using a survey based on sociological, criminological, and economic concepts, first year MSW students in the Foundations of Social Work Research and Statistic course (under the directions of the Associate Professor Dr. Sondra Fogel at USF and Lena Young from FAMU, project coordinator) implemented a community wide door-to-door data collection activity. On this one day, over 50 surveys were completed.
The residents of the BHE community easily welcomed the students and responded to the questions as well as offering many additional personal stories. For the students, it was an opportunity to see part of the Tampa community that they were not familiar with, gain experience working with individuals from diverse social and economic backgrounds, and learn how to translate qualitative data into measurable concepts represented on the data collection form.
As social workers, knowing how to collect information from a community in order to assess needs, empower residents and/or create change is a valuable skill. From this experience, students learned how to construct a questionnaire, pilot a survey, recruit subjects and collect data, and generate findings. In addition, the students learned how research results can influence policy and program directions and as such, is an important part of social work practice.
Practical Comparison
The Belmont Heights Economic Impact Analysis report provided an empirical base that describes some of the effects this HOPE VI project had on the East Tampa community. It has not been a look backwards at the impact of the development, but the market analysis and workforce information can be very helpful in developing future plans for the area.
It is also noteworthy that this project was a joint effort of the University Partnership for community Partnership for Community and Economic Development, which is a collaborative partnership with the University of Florida. It sets a precedent for the utilization of the specialties available in the institutions on the statewide system.
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