Redlining's Legacy: Exploring Racial Disparities in Arrests in Baltimore

• In Event: Communities and Place: Disadvantage, Education, and Race/Ethnicity

Abstract

Efforts to comprehend involvement in the criminal justice system increasingly acknowledge the significance of neighborhood social conditions. However, there's a dearth of research examining how racial disparity intersects with policing practices and neighborhood dynamics. Given that racial minorities often inhabit socioeconomically disadvantaged areas, where policing tends to be more aggressive, this study delves into whether structural factors can elucidate racial disparities in arrests at the neighborhood level. Specifically, we investigate the enduring impact of "redlining," a historically discriminatory practice, on contemporary neighborhood disadvantages and its role in explaining racial disparities in arrests across various crime categories. By analyzing data from the Baltimore Police Department alongside the Home Owner’s Loan Corporation (HOLC) map, our findings suggest that African American residents, particularly those residing in "Hazardous" zones, face a heightened risk of arrest for certain offenses in Baltimore City compared to their white counterparts. However, this imbalance may differ depending on the type of crime. We conclude by discussing the implications of our findings and potential avenues for future research.

Authors

• Xuanying Chen, University of Maryland

• Xinyi Situ, University of Maryland, College Park