Spatial-Temporal Analysis of Burglary and Robbery Crime Concentration Near Mass-Transit in Portland, Oregon

• In Event: Poster Session I

Abstract

The 20th Century decline of public transit ridership has encouraged the empirical review of the security, sustainability and stationing of mass-transit services. In the Pacific Northwest, Greyhound constitutes a central component of public transportation. In this study, we have examined the Greyhound Bus Station in Portland, Oregon which serves as a transportation hub, activity node and pathway in the Pearl District. When compared to other Portland neighborhoods, a 2-mile radius of the Greyhound station concentrates a disproportionate amount of burglary and robbery offenses (Portland Police Bureau, 2018). In this project, we have explored why there is an increased concentration of burglary and robbery crimes committed near mass-transit. To answer this question, we have conducted a naturalistic observation to assess routine activity theory near Greyhound station. We also utilized Portland Police data and ArcGIS to analyze burglary and robbery crime reported by street in the Pearl District between January 2016 to March 2018. We hypothesize that the concentration of these offenses is a result of Crime Pattern Theory in which suitable targets are accessible by constructed pathways, activity nodes and transportation services which congregate citizens and act as crime generators. We recommend that Crime Prevention through Environmental Design be a response.

Authors

• Bryce Barthuly, Portland State University

• Stephen Castor, Portland State University