Analyzing Rural Crime Concentrations in Hamilton County (OH)

• In Event: Communities and Place: Crime Concentration, Rural Areas, and Police

Abstract

Most evaluations of crime and place theory have occurred in large, urban jurisdictions while minimal focus has been allocated to rural areas. The current study attempts to mediate the “big-city bias” present in this research area by examining how crime concentrates at rural places. This study takes place in suburban and rural jurisdictions in Hamilton County, Ohio. First, we examine crime concentrations across street blocks using cumulative percentages and compare our results to those obtained from urban locations in the literature. Second, we show how repeat locations do and do not contribute to the spatial concentration of crime in suburban and rural locations. The results are discussed in the context of how evidence-based strategies may be applied to address crime-related problems in suburban and rural areas. By testing crime and place theory in this way, we hope to clarify the difference in and importance of crime problems existing at rural places, as well as the unique opportunity structures they foster.

Authors

• Matthew McGrath, University of Cincinnati

• Bradley O'Guinn, University of Cincinnati

• Cory P. Haberman, University of Cincinnati