The Web of Public Trust and Urban Crime

• In Event: Communities and Place: Activity Space Exposures, Community Perceptions, and Crime

Abstract

Jane Jacobs’ “web of public trust” hypothesis predicts that urban crime is reduced among areas where individuals engaging in routine activities report greater public familiarity and trust in one another. Despite widespread influence, however, this hypothesis remains untested due to a lack of data on experiences as individuals carry out routine activities. This study resolves this with data on individuals’ reports of the extent to which they recognize or know and trust others at routine activity locations reported by a representative sample of adult caregivers participating in the Columbus, Ohio-based Adolescent Health and Development in Context study (2014-2016) merged with census and crime data (2010-2016). Consistent with Jacobs’ hypothesis, results indicate that areas where individuals report more public familiarity and trust have significantly reduced violent and property crime rates over time even after accounting for local residents’ perceptions of collective efficacy. Beyond residents’ experiences and perceptions, these findings underscore that more attention should be paid to the public basis of urban social organization in efforts to reduce crime and address other problems.

Author

• Nicolo Pinchak, University of Chicago