Crime and Policing in Rural and Small-Town America: An Overview of the Issues

This Research Report reviews what is known about rural crime and policing in rural areas and small towns and how they are shaped by the rural environment. The review is based on literature from a wide range of sources, most published since 1980. Information from these published sources is supplemented with information from focus groups and interviews with sheriffs and municipal police in rural areas and small towns. The purpose is to demonstrate the features of rural areas that shape crime and justice. In addition, this study is designed to stimulate thinking about rural crime and highlight issues that merit further attention.