Examining the Influence of Neighborhood Characteristics on Near Repeat Auto Thefts

• In Event: Posters II

Abstract

Research on near-repeat patterns has shown that initial crime events increase the likelihood of follow-up crime events within close proximity over a certain period of time for several different crimes, including shootings, robberies, aggravated assaults, burglaries and motor vehicle thefts. The current study examines a near repeat pattern of motor vehicle theft in Newark, NJ. The results show that near repeat pattern is evident in the area within 600 feet and 4 days after a previous incident. That is, vehicles that are parked within 600 feet of a previous incident are at higher risk of being stolen up to 4 days following the initial event. Examination of the effect of socioeconomic characteristics of neighborhoods on the near repeat patterns indicates that initiator events which produce near-repeats or subsequent incidents are more likely to cluster in disadvantaged neighborhoods. The study further explores the influence of physical characteristics of neighborhoods have on the distribution of initiator events.

Author

• Shuryo Fujita, California State University, San Bernardino