Comparative Analysis of Environmental Characteristics Related to Criminal Victimization in Activity Areas of Interstate Highway Interchanges and Local Highway Intersections

• NCJ Number: 173105
• Journal: Journal of Security Administration Volume: 21 Issue: 1 Dated: June 1998 Pages: 45-57
• Author(s): D M Robinson
• Date Published: 1998
• Length: 13 pages
• Sale Source: NCJRS Photocopy Services
• Publication Format: Article
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This study found the presence of an interstate highway and environmental characteristics of activity areas surrounding interstate highway interchanges were not meaningfully associated with variances in criminal victimization rates and types.

Abstract

Four interstate highway interchanges in Florida were selected for analysis and were compared to local highway activity areas in the city of Gainesville. Environmental variables (surveillability, accessibility, and aesthetics) were used to compare different aspects of each interstate activity area (IAA) and local activity area (LAA). Police criminal victimization statistics were also collected for 1994 from the Gainesville Police Department and the Alachua County Sheriff's Office. With regard to environmental characteristics of all activity areas, only slight differences were observed between IAAs and LAAs. Criminal victimization was generally higher in LAAs than in IAAs. Explanations for the study findings, which were contrary to expectations, are offered and discussed. 43 references