Answer:
Collective efficacy refers to a community's shared belief in its ability to take action and produce desired outcomes. It is a measure of social cohesion and mutual trust within a community, and is often used to assess the effectiveness of community-level interventions to reduce crime and improve safety.
Collective efficacy has been shown to have a strong impact on crime in a neighborhood. Research has found that neighborhoods with high levels of collective efficacy tend to have lower crime rates, and that collective efficacy is a stronger predictor of crime than other social and economic factors. This is because communities with high levels of collective efficacy are better able to mobilize resources and take action to address crime and disorder, and are less likely to tolerate criminal behavior.
Additionally, neighborhoods with high collective efficacy tend to have more active and effective community organizations and higher levels of social capital, which can also contribute to reducing crime. Studies have also found that collective efficacy is positively associated with civic engagement, collective action and social control, which are key factors in preventing crime.
Overall, collective efficacy is an important concept in understanding crime in a neighborhood, as it highlights the importance of social cohesion and trust in addressing crime and promoting safety.