Unveiling the Nexus: Spatial Statistical Analysis of Selected Property Crime in Subsidized Housing

• In Event: Spatial Patterns of Crime

Abstract

Theoretical and empirical research on victimization and offending in subsidized housing areas, particularly regarding thefts from motor vehicles and residential burglaries, is limited. Addressing this gap, this study adopts a neighborhood context approach, utilizing household data from the Dallas Housing Authority's housing voucher programs for 2018. The study seeks to understand the spatial relations between thefts from motor vehicles and burglaries within subsidized housing areas in the city of Dallas. The main concepts of social disorganization theory, including race, ethnicity, age, and household income, are used as control variables in the analysis. Data was analyzed using both traditional spatial lag/error models and a generalized spatial two-stage least squares estimator. By exploring the connection between location and these specific crimes, the study sheds light on the complex dynamics shaping victimization and offending patterns in subsidized housing environments. This research contributes to a deeper understanding of crime in urban settings, offering insights that can inform policy interventions to enhance safety and security for residents in subsidized housing areas.

Authors

• Steve Romero, Tarleton State University

• Olga Semukhina, Tarleton State University