A Macro Examination of Rural Crime Trends: New Directions in Communities and Crime

• In Event: Applying Social Disorganization Theory to New Settings

Abstract

Historically, criminological research has focused almost exclusively on urban crime and the city. Research has established that crime rate and type depends on place with urban areas having increased rates of all types of crime and especially violent crime. While some existing studies do examine crime in rural areas, the utility of a rural crime rate has not been fully explored. This exploratory study proposes to examine rural crime trends on a macro level and overlay them with structural change over time. Implications and parallels to traditional structural theories of crime in the city will be discussed.

Authors

• Sarah R. Bostrom, Sam Houston State University

• Ryan Randa, Sam Houston State University