Presentation slides for a study that questions how people may interpret and understand the types of crime maps that are frequently publicly available. As public crime maps increase in use and distribution, researchers are beginning to explore the impacts of access

Bonn, Kaitlyn

Henning, Kris

Stewart, Greg

Wuschke, Kathryn

English

PDXScholar (Portland State University)

Portland State University PDXScholar Criminology and Criminal Justice Faculty Publications and Presentations Criminology and Criminal Justice 11-2017 Public Perceptions of Crime Maps: Considering the Impact of Map Style on Perceptions of Safety Kathryn Wuschke Portland State University, wuschke@pdx.edu Kris Henning Portland State University, khenning@pdx.edu Greg Stewart Portland State University Kaitlyn Bonn Portland State University Follow this and additional works at: https://pdxscholar.library.pdx.edu/ccj_fac  Part of the Criminology Commons, and the Place and Environment Commons Let us know how access to this document benefits you. Citation Details Wuschke, K., Henning, K., Stewart, G., and Bonn, K. Public Perceptions of Crime Maps. American Society of Criminology Annual Meeting, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, November 2017. This Presentation is brought to you for free and open access. It has been accepted for inclusion in Criminology and Criminal Justice Faculty Publications and Presentations by an authorized administrator of PDXScholar. For more information, please contact pdxscholar@pdx.edu. Public Perceptions of Crime Maps:Considering the Impact of Map Styleon Perceptions of SafetyKathryn Wuschke, Kris Henning, Greg Stewart and Kaitlyn BonnCriminology and Criminal Justice, Portland State University12The Power of the MapIntroduction Background Research Moving ForwardConsidering Crime Maps• This study questions how people may interpret and understand the types of crime maps that are frequently publicly available.3Introduction Background Research Moving ForwardPublic Crime Maps: Accountability in Action?• Maps commonly available via policing websites–Private competition increasing (Scassa, 2016)• Maps provided in the name of accountability& transparency4Image Source (2017): https://www.portlandoregon.gov/police/Introduction Background Research Moving Forward“Law enforcement agencies should … establish a culture of transparency and accountability to build public trust and legitimacy” (USDOJ, 2015, p. 1)Source: USDOJ, 2015 https://cops.usdoj.gov/pdf/taskforce/taskforce_finalreport.pdf5Introduction Background Research Moving ForwardOpen Data…or is it?• The Push for Open Data occurs at a time when the overall quantity of data is increasing (Scassa, 2016; Janssen, 2012; Police Foundation, 2015)• Recent years have resulted in improvements to crime data collection, spatial accuracy, storage and dissemination• As a result, a great increase in agency-affiliated crime maps have emerged (Paulsen and LeBeau, 2012).6Introduction Background Research Moving ForwardThe Call for Research• As public crime maps increase in use and distribution, researchers are beginning to explore the impacts of access.–Groff et al. (2005) calls for more research on public perception of crime maps–Chainey and Thomson (2012) critique existing mapping practices, leading to inaccuracies and increasing the likelihood of misinterpretation 7Introduction Background Research Moving ForwardExploring Public Perceptions• How is public perception and interpretation impacted by map choice?• Today’s presentation focuses on a follow up to an earlier phase of this investigation by Bonn, Henning and Stewart• The preliminary study found that dot mapsincreased perceptions of fear when compared to kernel density maps• Our follow-up study builds upon these findings to explore whether this pattern holds across crime types• Further, we’re extending this study beyond fear to consider broader benefits associated with these perceptions8Image Source: https://communitycrimemap.com/Introduction Background Research Moving ForwardData and Methodology• Starting Simply:–Initial stages have employed static maps for a fabricated neighborhood, using realistic spatial crime patterns–Two by Two factorial design:2 (Map Type: Dot vs Kernel Density) x2 (Crime Type: Violent vs Property)9Introduction Background Research Moving ForwardCollecting Perceptions• We created a survey using Qualtrics–Survey displays a map, then ask participants to provide their understanding and impressions of the data as displayed. –Questions ask participant to answer questions based on if this hypothetical neighborhood is their own.–Questions Include:1011121314Introduction Background Research Moving ForwardRepresenting the Public• Sample of Public Perceptions acquired by creating a survey and requesting respondents using Amazon’s Mechanical Turk (MTurk)–MTurk is a crowd-sourcing platform that is increasingly being used in academic studies–Resulting samples are found to be consistent with traditional methods of acquiring research participants (Henderson and Levett, 2016; Chandler and Shapiro, 2016).15Introduction Background Research Moving ForwardMechanical Turk  SampleWe received 230 respondents to our survey.16• 54% Male• 37% aged 25-34Count of Respondents by AgeIntroduction Background Research Moving ForwardResults: Map Types Matter17• Dot maps are found to be associated with lower levels of perceived safety, regardless of type of crime1819202122Introduction Background Research Moving ForwardAll Results Lead to Questions• What is the impact of adjusting the Kernel Density bandwidth/Cell Size?–While frequently used within crime mapping, Kernel Density receives criticism regarding the highly variable output resulting from changes to inputs (Hart and Zandbergen, 2014; Chainey et al., 2002).–Future phases can explore results using alternative bandwidth and cell size inputs, guided by in-field practitioners.23Introduction Background Research Moving ForwardAll Results Lead to Questions• What is the impact of the color choices?–Our dot density map displayed crime events in red.–Did this color choice impact the resulting perceptions?24Introduction Background Research Moving ForwardMoving Forward• As we push for transparency and access, there is a continued need to understand the resulting impacts–Consider your goals, Consider your audience– If the goals of public display of maps are to increase public trust in police agencies, dot maps may not be an effective tool.– If the goals are to provide the public with access to data to encourage informed decision-making, we must better understand the accuracy of the perception25Introduction Background Research Moving ForwardI Welcome your Feedback!• Thank you to my collaborators, Kris Henning, Greg Stewart and Kaitlyn Bonn!• This research has been supported by a Faculty Enhancement Grant.Katie Wuschkewuschke@pdx.edu26

Public Perceptions of Crime Maps: Considering the Impact of Map Style on Perceptions of Safety

https://pdxscholar.library.pdx.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1051&amp;context=ccj_fac

Public Perceptions of Crime Maps: Considering the Impact of Map Style on Perceptions of Safety

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