Using Risk Terrain Modeling to Test the Effect of Disaggregate Liquor Establishment Types on Street-Robbery in New York City

• In Event: Risk Terrain Modeling I

Abstract

The effect of liquor establishments on crime has received considerable attention in the criminological literature. Prior research has predominately tested how liquor establishments, as a whole, generate crime. Much less consideration has been given to how disaggregate types of liquor establishments differentially influence crime. The current study seeks to address this gap in the literature. We utilize Risk Terrain Modeling (RTM) to analyze how 10 different types of liquor establishments influence robbery occurrence at micro-level places in New York City. Separate RTM models were conducted for each of New York’s 5 boroughs. Results suggest that criminogenic influence differed across liquor establishment types, with certain types associated with higher robbery levels and others having no effect. In addition, while certain liquor establishments affected crime in each borough, the spatial influence of others was much more volatile. Implications for future research and policing practices will be discussed.

Authors

• Shun Feng, The Graduate Center, CUNY / John Jay College, CUNY

• Eric L. Piza, John Jay College of Criminal Justice

• Leslie W. Kennedy, Rutgers University

• Joel M. Caplan, Rutgers University