Transient Crowding and Crime: The More Strangers in an Area, the More Crime Except for Murder, Assault, and Rape

• NCJ Number: 127784
• Journal: American Journal of Economics and Sociology Volume: 49 Issue: 4 Dated: (October 1990) Pages: 483-493
• Author(s): S Jarrell; R M Howsen
• Date Published: 1990
• Length: 11 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Research (Applied/Empirical)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This study examines the effects of the intrusion of large numbers of strangers into an area on the crime rate in the area; such intrusions provide more ways to escape apprehension and a larger pool of potential victims.

Abstract

The sensitivity of six different crimes to density of strangers is estimated. The crime types are murder, rape, assault, robbery, burglary, and larceny, while density of strangers is measured by tourists, college students, shoppers from other areas, opportunities to consume alcohol, and presence of interstate highway exits. The data was obtained from each of the 120 counties in Kentucky. The findings suggest that the incidences of robbery, larceny, and burglary increase as the number of strangers in an area increase. Opportunities for alcohol consumption exacerbates this relationship. This has policy implications for areas undertaking economic growth programs; these programs should be accompanied by anti-crime measures. 2 tables and 23 references (Author abstract modified)