Associated Press Published

Researchers to Study Crime Reporting in the State

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Researchers plan to survey West Virginia residents about their experiences with crime as part of a study of crime reporting in the state.

Other study topics include residents’ willingness to seek help from law enforcement and their perceptions of the criminal justice system and community safety.

The three-year study is funded by a $448,000 U.S. Department of Justice grant awarded to the West Virginia Division of Justice and Community Services.

Division director Rick Staton says in a news release that data from the study will complement existing crime data reported by law enforcement.

The survey will be conducted by the Criminal Justice Statistical Analysis Center with assistance from West Virginia University’s Research Center on Violence.