NCJ Number
230224
Journal
Journal of Quantitative Criminology Volume: 26 Issue: 1 Dated: March 2010 Pages: 89-111
Date Published
March 2010
Length
23 pages
Annotation
This study attempts to unravel the influence of street network structure from sociodemographic variables on the location of crime using a modeling approach.
Abstract
That crime is concentrated in space is now accepted as commonplace. Explanations for why it clusters at particular locations are various reflecting the range of factors which are held to influence crime placement. This article focuses on the role of the permeability of the street network on the location of crime. It first reviews the research conducted hitherto, summarizing the different approaches to analysis and the findings that have so far emerged. Then it presents original analyses conducted at the street segment level to examine the issues at hand. In contrast to much of the prior research, this study examines the patterns for a large study area in which there is considerable variation in street network configuration. Moreover, and in contrast to all of the previous research, the approach to analysis takes into account the multi-level structure of the data analysed. The findings demonstrate that increased permeability is associated with elevated burglary risk, that burglary risk is lower on cul-de-sacs (particularly those that are sinuous in nature), and that the risk of burglary is higher on more major roads and those street segments that are connected to them. In the conclusion of the paper an agenda is outlined for future research. (Published Abstract) Tables, figures, appendix, and references