Social Disorganization and Larceny: an Analysis Using ArcGIS

• In Event: Poster Session

Abstract

Several studies have employed social disorganization theory to explain the prevalence of crime. Few studies have used geographic information systems in order to investigate the relationship between social disorganization measures and property crime. This study uses the statistical analytical abilities of ESRI’s ArcGIS software to explore the relationship between several selected social disorganization measures gleaned from the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey and larceny obtained from local crime reports for the years 2006 to 2010 in a medium-sized southeastern U.S. city. Results indicate that several variables, including mobility, poverty, and education, are significantly correlated with larceny frequency. The advantages of using ArcGIS software to study the relationships between social phenomena and crime are discussed.

Author

• Jonathan Lopez, Old Dominion University