GIS Mapping Analysis of Chicago Narcotics Related Arrests Between January and June 2010

• In Event: Poster Session

Abstract

The war on drugs has been a major issue in the justice system for the past four decades, with the number of the prison population growing as a result, insight in the area is of major importance for public policy. Using the Geographic Information System software I will analyze Chicago crime data to answer four spatial questions regarding this type of crimes. First, how are drug related offenses distributed throughout the city? Are there especially problematic areas? Second, is there a relationship between median income variations throughout the city and the way that drug related crimes are distributed? Third, is the drug problem in the most affected areas an isolated issue, or are they also more likely to also have higher crime rates in general? Finally, I will look at how marijuana related offenses vs. all other drug related offenses are distributed. The relevant literature will be analyzed before looking at the data to look for existing trends in this area and the expected results.

Author

• Marcia Diaz, Florida International University