Barrioside: A Growth-Curve Analysis of the Neighborhood Correlates of Murder in East Los Angeles

• In Event: Neighborhood Change and Crime

Abstract

The structure of a neighborhood influences the observed patterns of violence over time. Yet, certain neighborhood characteristics (e.g., instability, poverty) do not impact all types of violence equally. This research utilizes growth-curve methodology to examine the relationship between neighborhood socioeconomic and demographic characteristics and the type of homicide. Using the 1,425 homicides that occurred in Hollenbeck Community Policing Area of the Los Angeles Police Department from 1978-2012, we estimate models that explore the effects of neighborhood structural characteristics on the longitudinal trajectories of homicide type over this 35 year period.

Authors

• Matthew Valasik, Louisiana State University

• Shannon Reid, University of North Carolina at Charlotte