Perceptions of Community Crime in Ferguson, Mo ― A Qualitative Study Prior to the Death of Michael Brown

This Brief is based on a research study of aging adults' perceptions and fear of crime in their community of Ferguson, Missouri. The study, which was conducted by coincidence just prior to the death of Michael Brown, presents unique insights into the community environment prior to those events, which sparked protests and turmoil in Ferguson and beyond.

Dr. Kandace Fisher-McLean serves as an Associate Professional Housing and Environmental Design Specialist with the University of Missouri Extension based in St. Louis, Missouri. She is also the National Coordinator for the Healthy Homes Partnership. She earned a Ph. D. in Human Environmental Sciences: Architectural Studies from the University of Missouri - Columbia, an M. S. in Human Ecology: Design Studies and a Certificate in Gerontology from the University of Wisconsin - Madison, and a B. S. in Interior Design from Southern Illinois University – Carbondale.

Dr. Fisher-McLean became interested in older adult’s perceptions of crime in Ferguson, Missouri in 2009 after receiving a “JumpStart the Conversation” grant to address aging-in-place issues in the community. This project received national attention and was recognized in the March 2010 Compendium of Community Aging Initiatives by the Center for the Advanced Study of Aging Services at the University of California at Berkeley – School of Social Welfare. She decided to further investigate older adult’s perceptions of crime in Ferguson, Missouri through her doctoral research in 2013 and 2014. To recognize her research in Ferguson, Missouri she was the recipient of the International Architectural Research Centers Consortium King Award for Ph.D. research.?