Crime mapping and spatial analysis

Crime maps are becoming significant tools in crime and justice. Advances in the areas of information technology and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) have opened new opportunities for the use of digital mapping in crime control and prevention programs. Crime maps are also valuable for the study of the ecology and the locational aspects of crime. Maps enable areas of unusually high or low concentration of crime to be visually identified. Maps are however only pictorial representations of the results of more or less complex spatial data analyses. A hierarchical model dealing with crime analysis is proposed and applied to the regional analysis of crime in Tehran, the model helps to identify spatial concentration of crimes in specific area (area based method). In area-based methods, crime data are aggregated into geographical areas such as blocks, precincts, and for each area, the analyst computes a measure of crime value. Multicriteria evaluation concept has been used to assess the crime rate in various blocks a discrete (part) of Tehran city. In this part we used two methods for crime density assessment: • Crime assessment based on crime per block, • Crime assessment based on density of crime per population. After determination of hot spots based on two methods mentioned above spatial function is used to find suitable location to establish new police station or direct patrol to the hot spots to reduce of crime

Spartan Daily, September 12, 2007

Volume 129, Issue 9https://scholarworks.sjsu.edu/spartandaily/10381/thumbnail.jp

A Descriptive Exploratory Study: Neighborhood Factors Related to Black Business Density

The racial wealth divide persistently compromises America\u27s full economic potential. Overwhelming research continues to demonstrate that support of Black entrepreneurship can significantly reduce the racial wealth gap, while simultaneously reducing Black unemployment. Although, there has been substantial research on minority entrepreneurship, there is less emphasis on the relationship between neighborhood factors and Black entrepreneurship. This study employed a cross-sectional correlation design to examine the relationships between socio-economic neighborhood characteristics and the density of certified Black businesses. This dissertation significantly contributes to the Black entrepreneurship literature in the American South by providing neighborhood-level analyses of key economic and social characteristics that foster Black business ownership, through a study of Atlanta\u27s 101 Neighborhood Statistical Areas (NSAs). The study explores the role of jobs, educational attainment, financial security, housing, and safety in fostering certified Black businesses. The overall results of this study provided evidence that neighborhood characteristics significantly predicted the density of Black businesses proportionate to the Black population. In the final neighborhood regression model, five neighborhood characteristics (total jobs, median household income, auto-theft, and burglary) accounted for 45.7% of the overall variance in the density of Black businesses. The policy and practice recommendations focus on supporting community development, community wealth building and scaling investments in targeted neighborhoods

Skateparks and crime : correlations and causation

Skateparks are being constructed at an unprecedented rate across the United States. Though many communities are convinced that they need a skatepark, few people want it in their backyard. One of the many concerns cited by potential neighbors is that the skatepark will become a haven for crime. Local skatepark advocates strongly disagree, believing that a skatepark will reduce crime by keeping kids off the street . While both parties insist that their view is correct, no research has been done on the subject. The purpose of this study is to determine if any correlation exists, positive or negative, with three major skateparks. The study sites are: FDR Skatepark in Philadelphia, Denver Skatepark in Denver, and Burnside Skatepark in Portland. To determine the quantity of crime, multiple forms of research are conducted. Objective forms of data, such as numerical crime statistics and GIS based crime maps, are used to determine recorded crime. The crime maps and statistics are examined on neighborhood and site scales to provide context for the crimes that occur at the site. The quantitative data is provided using case study methodology, including interviews and site visits. Multiple interviews and twenty hours of direct observation provide first-hand accounts of unreported crime at the study sites. Insights into causation are provided through comparison of the sites to three different sociological theories. These theories include Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design by Ray Jeffery (1977), Defensible Space by Oscar Newman (1976), and Broken Windows by James Wilson and George Kelling (1982). Interviews with local skateboarders interested parties support and influence the presented theories of causation. The use of objective and subjective research methodologies creates a two pronged approach. Often the data from the two methodologies support each other, providing a more accurate view of total crime. This unusual approach allows for crime, both reported and unreported, to be expressed. This study not only addresses correlations between skateparks and crime, but provides a methodological framework for future studies attempting to combine objective and subjective data sources

Establishing Connections: Gender, Motor Vehicle Theft, and Disposal Networks

As with most other serious street crimes, motor vehicle theft is a male-dominated offense. Yet, women do engage in motor vehicle theft, albeit at a reduced rate of participation. Here we examine the gendered nature of motor vehicle theft through direct comparison of qualitative data obtained from 35 juvenile and adult men and women actively involved auto theft in St. Louis, Missouri. By tracing similarities and differences between men’s and women’s pathways of initial involvement, enactment strategies, and post-theft acts, we provide a contextual analysis of offender’s perceptions and behavior. Such an approach allows a more precise discussion on gender’s influence (or lack of) on motor vehicle theft. Analysis shows that initiation into auto theft and property disposal networks are governed by male gatekeepers, and this leads to some key similarities in techniques between men and women. The ways in which women negotiate male-dominated networks is also discussed with particular emphasis on the innovative strategies they draw upon to accomplish their crimes within these landscapes and when opportunities are constrained by male gatekeepers

Spatial analysis of the effects of revitalization on crime in the Jeffrey-Lynne community in Anaheim, California

Over the last few years the city of Anaheim has undertaken several significant redevelopment projects designed to revitalize some of the older, more run down areas of the city. One of these projects was the redevelopment of the Jeffrey-Lynne neighborhood, an area that had been plagued by crime. The redevelopment involved the complete remodeling of the existing housing structure into lower density housing within a gated community. This study examines the impact of the redevelopment on the crime rate in this neighborhood; it employs location quotient analyses for six geographic levels on four crime categories (property, violence, disorder, drug) and five crime types (disturbance, robbery, burglary, assault, auto theft). The results reveal that the effects of the redevelopment on the crime rate were mixed

What impact does workplace accessibility have on housing prices? Sydney 2006 - 2011

Labour markets evolve continually changes in the number and types of jobs, the spatial location of firms, and clustering or dispersion, continually restructure the citys economy. The relative accessibility of those labour markets also evolves, reflecting changing travel patterns and preferences, and changing transportation investments. This paper investigates what impact labour market changes between 2006 and 2011 have had on prices of houses and units in di fferent locations. The data is drawn from a custom property sales dataset, Census 2006 and 2011, and other secondary sources. The analysis uses a repeat sales method and controls for other locational attributes that might contribute to explaining price changes. GIS-based analysis incorporates spatial measures and statistics into the analysis. The paper contributes to our understanding of the urban economy by addressing the question how does employment accessibility affect peoples housing preferences