Understanding the Spatial Co-Occurrence of Different Crime Types and Brokerage Crime in NYC Block Groups

• In Event: Disorder and Perceptions of Crime

Abstract

While the spatial concentration of crime is welldocumented, most studies focus on a single type of crime, overlooking how different crime types co-occur in the same locations. This study examines the spatial co-occurrence patterns of various crimes in New York City from 2008 to 2018. By constructing a spatial crime co-ocurrence network, we identify "brokerage" crimes that link different crime groups. The analysis considers both the clustering of similar crime types and the connections between crimes of varying severity, drawing on theoretical perspectives such as repeat victimization and the relationship between disorder and crime. Using betweenness centrality, the study identifies crimes like prostitution, drug offenses, and robbery as key bridging offenses. The findings suggest that these brokerage crimes, despite their lower frequency, are associated with higher levels of violent and property crime, emphasizing the need for law enforcement to monitor and address them proactively.

Authors

• Young-An Kim, Florida State University

• Keungoui Kim, Yonsei University