Examining additive and interactive effects of characteristics of the social and physical environment

• In Event: Physical Environment

Abstract

Prior studies have highlighted the socioeconomic and demographic correlates of variation in neighborhood crime rates. Recent research has advanced the extant literature by highlighting the criminological influence of the built or physical environment (i.e. schools, motels, bus stops, etc.) on neighborhood levels of crime. Utilizing a geospatial technique known as risk terrain modeling, recent research has reported that, controlling for socioeconomic disadvantage and residential stability, an aggregated neighborhood risk of crime (ANROC) measure capturing the influence of the built environment has a strong and robust influence on neighborhood crime rates. Instead of viewing variation in crime as a product of social factors or characteristics of the built environment (an additive model), the current study advances the literature by examining crime as a product of social factors and the built environment (an interactive model). We expected socioeconomic factors to have an exacerbated criminological influence in neighborhoods that offer relatively more criminal opportunities. Results of our analyses of variation in violent crime across Census tracts in a medium size Southern city support the predicted interactive effects. These findings advance our understanding of the neighborhood effect on crime and may assist in efficiently utilizing resources to develop crime reduction strategies.

Authors

• Shaun Thomas, University of Arkansas

• Grant Drawve, University of Arkansas