Objective: This study examined the incidence and predictors of police conta
ct, criminal charges, and victimization among noninstitutionalized individu
als with schizophrenia living in the community. Methods: A total of 172 ind
ividuals with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder were recruited from
community-based programs in urban Los Angeles between 1989 and 1991 and we
re monitored for three years. At baseline, all participants were housed and
did not have co-occurring substance use disorders. Face-to-face interviews
were conducted every six months. Results: Eighty-three individuals (48 per
cent) had contact with the police during the study period. A small percenta
ge of the contacts involved aggressive behavior against property or persons
. Being younger, having had more address changes at baseline, and having a
history of arrest and assault were significant predictors of police contact
. Thirty-seven individuals (22 percent) reported that charges had been file
d against them. Poorer social functioning, more address changes, fewer days
of taking medication at baseline, and a history of arrest and assault were
significant predictors of criminal charges. Sixty-five participants (38 pe
rcent of the sample) reported having been the victim of a crime during the
three years, 91 percent of which was violent. Having more severe clinical s
ymptoms and more substance use at baseline were significant predictors of v
ictimization. Conclusions: Individuals in this sample were at least 14 time
s more likely to be victims of a violent crime than to be arrested for one.
In general, the risk associated with being in the community was higher tha
n the risk these individuals posed to the community.