Pub Date : 2024-10-22DOI: 10.1016/j.jcrimjus.2024.102305
Daniel P. Mears, Mark C. Stafford
Objectives
Deterrence-based policies are central to criminal justice, assumed greater prominence in recent decades, and have assumed that more and tougher punishment necessarily deters crime. This paper provides a theoretical critique of deterrence to identify the limits and possibilities of effective deterrence-based criminal justice policy.
Methods
We build on prior work and recent advances in scholarship to develop a theoretical critique and a theoretical basis for improving deterrence-based policy.
Results
The critique identifies fundamental problems with classical deterrence theory that undermine the likely effectiveness of extant deterrence-based policies. We identify theoretical dimensions that address these problems and that can guide policies in ways that increase the likelihood of appreciable deterrent effects on crime.
Conclusions
Deterrence-based policies based on classical deterrence theory, and variants of it, are unlikely to be appreciably effective and are not consistent with an evidence-based approach to policy. If deterrence policies are to be used, designing them around a coherent and systematic conceptualization of deterrence holds greater potential for reducing crime and would highlight the role that rewards for prosocial behavior can play in deterring crime.
{"title":"A theoretical critique of deterrence-based policy","authors":"Daniel P. Mears, Mark C. Stafford","doi":"10.1016/j.jcrimjus.2024.102305","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jcrimjus.2024.102305","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Objectives</h3><div>Deterrence-based policies are central to criminal justice, assumed greater prominence in recent decades, and have assumed that more and tougher punishment necessarily deters crime. This paper provides a theoretical critique of deterrence to identify the limits and possibilities of effective deterrence-based criminal justice policy.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>We build on prior work and recent advances in scholarship to develop a theoretical critique and a theoretical basis for improving deterrence-based policy.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>The critique identifies fundamental problems with classical deterrence theory that undermine the likely effectiveness of extant deterrence-based policies. We identify theoretical dimensions that address these problems and that can guide policies in ways that increase the likelihood of appreciable deterrent effects on crime.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>Deterrence-based policies based on classical deterrence theory, and variants of it, are unlikely to be appreciably effective and are not consistent with an evidence-based approach to policy. If deterrence policies are to be used, designing them around a coherent and systematic conceptualization of deterrence holds greater potential for reducing crime and would highlight the role that rewards for prosocial behavior can play in deterring crime.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":48272,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Criminal Justice","volume":"95 ","pages":"Article 102305"},"PeriodicalIF":3.3,"publicationDate":"2024-10-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142532152","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"社会学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Low resting heart rate (RHR) is a well-replicated biological correlate of interpersonal violence (i.e., violence against others). However, there is limited research examining the relationship between RHR and intrapersonal violence (i.e., violence against oneself). Using Swedish population-based data, this study examined the relationship between RHR and suicide, an extreme form of intrapersonal violence, among individuals with no convictions (n = 458,785), violent convictions only (n = 8,694), non-violent convictions only (n = 187,138), and both violent and non-violent convictions (n = 37,745). Cox regression analyses indicated that low RHR lowered the risk of suicide by 22% among non-convicted individuals. High RHR increased the risk of suicide by 25% among individuals with non-violent convictions. RHR was not associated with the risk of suicide among individuals with violent convictions only or both violent and non-violent convictions. Research into shared and distinct etiological mechanisms and risk/protective factors for interpersonal and intrapersonal violence may provide valuable insights for treatment and prevention efforts.
{"title":"Resting heart rate as a risk and protective factor for intrapersonal violence: A population-based study","authors":"Shichun Ling , Sofi Oskarsson , Anneli Andersson , Catherine Tuvblad , Henrik Larsson","doi":"10.1016/j.jcrimjus.2024.102300","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jcrimjus.2024.102300","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Low resting heart rate (RHR) is a well-replicated biological correlate of interpersonal violence (i.e., violence against others). However, there is limited research examining the relationship between RHR and intrapersonal violence (i.e., violence against oneself). Using Swedish population-based data, this study examined the relationship between RHR and suicide, an extreme form of intrapersonal violence, among individuals with no convictions (<em>n</em> = 458,785), violent convictions only (<em>n</em> = 8,694), non-violent convictions only (<em>n</em> = 187,138), and both violent and non-violent convictions (<em>n</em> = 37,745). Cox regression analyses indicated that low RHR lowered the risk of suicide by 22% among non-convicted individuals. High RHR increased the risk of suicide by 25% among individuals with non-violent convictions. RHR was not associated with the risk of suicide among individuals with violent convictions only or both violent and non-violent convictions. Research into shared and distinct etiological mechanisms and risk/protective factors for interpersonal and intrapersonal violence may provide valuable insights for treatment and prevention efforts.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":48272,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Criminal Justice","volume":"95 ","pages":"Article 102300"},"PeriodicalIF":3.3,"publicationDate":"2024-10-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142532151","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"社会学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2024-10-12DOI: 10.1016/j.jcrimjus.2024.102302
Sungil Han , Jordan R. Riddell
Purpose
The current study assesses the potential crime-related impact of the University of Central Florida building a new college campus (UCF-Downtown) as part of a larger plan to revitalize the traditionally disadvantaged downtown Orlando, FL area.
Methods
Orlando Police Department crime incident data were used to track homicide, robbery, assault, burglary, motor vehicle theft, larceny, and drug crime, and information about census block group gentrification related conditions were sourced from the American Community Survey. Weekly time-series analyses using data from January 2010 through December 2020 were conducted, and a spatial panel regression model using yearly data (2013–2019) included a gentrification measure to predict crime outcomes.
Results
Models detected a slight, and temporary, upward trend in assault and drug crime in the area within a 1-mile radius of UCF-Downtown during its construction. There was also some evidence of an increase in burglaries in the UCF-Downtown campus area during the construction period, with all other analyses indicating there was no change in crime related to the new campus or gentrification.
Conclusions
There was no widespread association between improvements made in downtown Orlando and crime, which suggests building the new campus was limited to temporary increases in assault, drug violations, and burglary during construction. Findings provide little support for the ability of a community reinvestment initiative in the form of a new college campus to reduce crime in the short term, and there may be temporary increases in crime opportunities during the construction of a new campus.
{"title":"A new college campus and crime: Focusing on crime opportunity and gentrification in downtown Orlando, Florida","authors":"Sungil Han , Jordan R. Riddell","doi":"10.1016/j.jcrimjus.2024.102302","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jcrimjus.2024.102302","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Purpose</h3><div>The current study assesses the potential crime-related impact of the University of Central Florida building a new college campus (UCF-Downtown) as part of a larger plan to revitalize the traditionally disadvantaged downtown Orlando, FL area.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Orlando Police Department crime incident data were used to track homicide, robbery, assault, burglary, motor vehicle theft, larceny, and drug crime, and information about census block group gentrification related conditions were sourced from the American Community Survey. Weekly time-series analyses using data from January 2010 through December 2020 were conducted, and a spatial panel regression model using yearly data (2013–2019) included a gentrification measure to predict crime outcomes.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Models detected a slight, and temporary, upward trend in assault and drug crime in the area within a 1-mile radius of UCF-Downtown during its construction. There was also some evidence of an increase in burglaries in the UCF-Downtown campus area during the construction period, with all other analyses indicating there was no change in crime related to the new campus or gentrification.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>There was no widespread association between improvements made in downtown Orlando and crime, which suggests building the new campus was limited to temporary increases in assault, drug violations, and burglary during construction. Findings provide little support for the ability of a community reinvestment initiative in the form of a new college campus to reduce crime in the short term, and there may be temporary increases in crime opportunities during the construction of a new campus.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":48272,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Criminal Justice","volume":"95 ","pages":"Article 102302"},"PeriodicalIF":3.3,"publicationDate":"2024-10-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142417156","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"社会学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2024-10-12DOI: 10.1016/j.jcrimjus.2024.102299
Tarah Hodgkinson , Samantha Henderson , Martin A. Andresen , Carrie B. Sanders , Camie Condon , Tye Anthony
Post COVID-19, visible homelessness in the form of encampments has grown in cities across North America. Often these encampments are stereotyped as posing health and safety risks. In response to public outcry, many of these encampments have been forcefully removed by city employees and police. However, it is unclear if encampments are criminogenic or simply create that perception. In this study, we use encampment data collected by the City of Brantford (2023) and calls for service and incident data from the Brantford Police Service (2015–2022) to determine if the emergence of encampments results in an increase in crime and disorder in the surrounding areas. We use Thiessen Polygons to approximate encampment area influence. We then analyze changes in crime patterns over time in these areas using a structural break test, from the point of encampment emergence, to determine if encampments significantly increase the likelihood of crime and disorder as compared to previous years in the same areas. Findings suggest that encampments follow the same criminogenic place patterns of other types of facilities. Implications for policy are discussed.
{"title":"To tent and protect: Homeless encampments as “protective facilities”","authors":"Tarah Hodgkinson , Samantha Henderson , Martin A. Andresen , Carrie B. Sanders , Camie Condon , Tye Anthony","doi":"10.1016/j.jcrimjus.2024.102299","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jcrimjus.2024.102299","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Post COVID-19, visible homelessness in the form of encampments has grown in cities across North America. Often these encampments are stereotyped as posing health and safety risks. In response to public outcry, many of these encampments have been forcefully removed by city employees and police. However, it is unclear if encampments are criminogenic or simply create that perception. In this study, we use encampment data collected by the <span><span>City of Brantford (2023)</span></span> and calls for service and incident data from the Brantford Police Service (2015–2022) to determine if the emergence of encampments results in an increase in crime and disorder in the surrounding areas. We use Thiessen Polygons to approximate encampment area influence. We then analyze changes in crime patterns over time in these areas using a structural break test, from the point of encampment emergence, to determine if encampments significantly increase the likelihood of crime and disorder as compared to previous years in the same areas. Findings suggest that encampments follow the same criminogenic place patterns of other types of facilities. Implications for policy are discussed.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":48272,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Criminal Justice","volume":"95 ","pages":"Article 102299"},"PeriodicalIF":3.3,"publicationDate":"2024-10-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142417224","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"社会学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2024-10-12DOI: 10.1016/j.jcrimjus.2024.102301
Etienne Blais , David Décary-Hétu , Benoit Leclerc
Purpose
Based on the crime script approach, the main objective of this study was to identify steps involved in firearms trafficking in the Province of Quebec, Canada. Our analysis focused on actions performed by actors, facilitating conditions, obstacles and errors for each step of the firearms trafficking process.
Method
A deductive thematic analysis was conducted to build the firearms trafficking script with 76 investigation files, conducted between 1996 and 2020, that were provided by the Quebec State Police.
Results
Firearms trafficking included six steps: (1) preparation; (2) acquisition of firearms; (3) storage of firearms; (4) search for customers; (5) transaction; and (6) exit. Since each step can be completed with different actions, a total 1200 combinations of actions could be used to traffic firearms. Results also indicated that several actors were involved at different steps of the script such as suppliers, middlemen, and vendors. Unregulated tools (e.g., hydraulic press, mold), materials and components (e.g., steel sheets, barrels) facilitated the fabrication of private firearms, while advertising firearms on social media was an error made by some suspects.
Conclusion
The dynamic and sequential nature of firearms trafficking was highlighted by our script analysis. Crime script analysis also proved to be a useful approach to predict potential crime displacement, plan program evaluation and implementation, and prioritize prevention measures involving multiple agencies.
{"title":"1200 paths and counting: A script analysis of firearms trafficking in the Province of Quebec, Canada","authors":"Etienne Blais , David Décary-Hétu , Benoit Leclerc","doi":"10.1016/j.jcrimjus.2024.102301","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jcrimjus.2024.102301","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Purpose</h3><div>Based on the crime script approach, the main objective of this study was to identify steps involved in firearms trafficking in the Province of Quebec, Canada. Our analysis focused on actions performed by actors, facilitating conditions, obstacles and errors for each step of the firearms trafficking process.</div></div><div><h3>Method</h3><div>A deductive thematic analysis was conducted to build the firearms trafficking script with 76 investigation files, conducted between 1996 and 2020, that were provided by the Quebec State Police.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Firearms trafficking included six steps: (1) preparation; (2) acquisition of firearms; (3) storage of firearms; (4) search for customers; (5) transaction; and (6) exit. Since each step can be completed with different actions, a total 1200 combinations of actions could be used to traffic firearms. Results also indicated that several actors were involved at different steps of the script such as suppliers, middlemen, and vendors. Unregulated tools (e.g., hydraulic press, mold), materials and components (e.g., steel sheets, barrels) facilitated the fabrication of private firearms, while advertising firearms on social media was an error made by some suspects.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>The dynamic and sequential nature of firearms trafficking was highlighted by our script analysis. Crime script analysis also proved to be a useful approach to predict potential crime displacement, plan program evaluation and implementation, and prioritize prevention measures involving multiple agencies.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":48272,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Criminal Justice","volume":"95 ","pages":"Article 102301"},"PeriodicalIF":3.3,"publicationDate":"2024-10-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142417157","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"社会学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2024-10-07DOI: 10.1016/j.jcrimjus.2024.102298
Takuro Suzuki
Background
Stalking often escalates from mild behaviors, such as surveillance, to severe forms involving violence, posing serious risks to victims. While identifying high-risk perpetrator classes is crucial for preventing victimization, research on perpetrator classification based on stalking behavior remains limited.
Purpose
This study used latent class analysis (LCA) to classify perpetrators by gender based on their stalking-related behavior (SRB) patterns from a Japanese population survey, and examined the risk levels and characteristics of each class.
Methods
Participants included 530 Japanese individuals (240 men and 290 women) aged 20–49 years whose non-marital romantic partner had expressed a desire for separation and no contact.
Results
LCA revealed four-class models for both men and women. For men, the classes identified were indirect seeker (71.9 %), direct pursuit (21.3 %), serious perpetrator (3.8 %), and mild perpetrator (3.0 %). For women, the classes were indirect seeker (68.2 %), direct pursuit (19.2 %), malicious defamation (10.5 %), and serious perpetrator (2.2 %). In both genders, serious perpetrators exhibited a higher likelihood of violence and suicide attempts, emphasizing the need for mental health assessments and appropriate care alongside violence prevention.
Conclusions
Future research should focus on exploring the diversity of high-risk perpetrators.
{"title":"Classifying perpetrators of stalking-related behavior with latent class analysis","authors":"Takuro Suzuki","doi":"10.1016/j.jcrimjus.2024.102298","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jcrimjus.2024.102298","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Stalking often escalates from mild behaviors, such as surveillance, to severe forms involving violence, posing serious risks to victims. While identifying high-risk perpetrator classes is crucial for preventing victimization, research on perpetrator classification based on stalking behavior remains limited.</div></div><div><h3>Purpose</h3><div>This study used latent class analysis (LCA) to classify perpetrators by gender based on their stalking-related behavior (SRB) patterns from a Japanese population survey, and examined the risk levels and characteristics of each class.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Participants included 530 Japanese individuals (240 men and 290 women) aged 20–49 years whose non-marital romantic partner had expressed a desire for separation and no contact.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>LCA revealed four-class models for both men and women. For men, the classes identified were indirect seeker (71.9 %), direct pursuit (21.3 %), serious perpetrator (3.8 %), and mild perpetrator (3.0 %). For women, the classes were indirect seeker (68.2 %), direct pursuit (19.2 %), malicious defamation (10.5 %), and serious perpetrator (2.2 %). In both genders, serious perpetrators exhibited a higher likelihood of violence and suicide attempts, emphasizing the need for mental health assessments and appropriate care alongside violence prevention.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>Future research should focus on exploring the diversity of high-risk perpetrators.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":48272,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Criminal Justice","volume":"95 ","pages":"Article 102298"},"PeriodicalIF":3.3,"publicationDate":"2024-10-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142417158","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"社会学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2024-10-02DOI: 10.1016/j.jcrimjus.2024.102297
Julien Chopin , Eric Beauregard , Amelie Pedneault
We investigate the concept of “criminal failure” in sexual crimes and the relevance of various theoretical frameworks for its understanding: individual offender's rational choice, environmental influences and routine activities, victimological characteristics from lifestyle theory, and crime interaction factors. We examined a sample of 1121 “failed” cases (i.e., attempted but not completed) and 1500 “successful” cases (i.e., completed) of sexual assault that occurred in France between 1990 and 2018. We used 32 predictors that mapped on the four theoretical frameworks and conducted bivariate followed by multivariate analyses. Multiple theoretical frameworks are relevant to understand criminal failure, which is a product of perpetrator, environmental, victimological, and interactional factors. Two distinct patterns are specifically associated with failure: lack of preparation and lack of social skills. In addition, failure was best understood not as a unitary concept, but as multifactorial by distinguishing between different types of failure, specifically: offender intentionally released the victim before completion, victim escaped or third party rescue. Finally, patterns of failure were different in sexual crimes against children compared to those against adults. Criminology should pay closer attention to failure in crime. This understudied area can yield important theoretical knowledge and practical implications regarding the prevention of sexual crimes.
{"title":"When failure is the option: Unravelling sexual assault outcomes","authors":"Julien Chopin , Eric Beauregard , Amelie Pedneault","doi":"10.1016/j.jcrimjus.2024.102297","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jcrimjus.2024.102297","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>We investigate the concept of “criminal failure” in sexual crimes and the relevance of various theoretical frameworks for its understanding: individual offender's rational choice, environmental influences and routine activities, victimological characteristics from lifestyle theory, and crime interaction factors. We examined a sample of 1121 “failed” cases (i.e., attempted but not completed) and 1500 “successful” cases (i.e., completed) of sexual assault that occurred in France between 1990 and 2018. We used 32 predictors that mapped on the four theoretical frameworks and conducted bivariate followed by multivariate analyses. Multiple theoretical frameworks are relevant to understand criminal failure, which is a product of perpetrator, environmental, victimological, and interactional factors. Two distinct patterns are specifically associated with failure: lack of preparation and lack of social skills. In addition, failure was best understood not as a unitary concept, but as multifactorial by distinguishing between different types of failure, specifically: offender intentionally released the victim before completion, victim escaped or third party rescue. Finally, patterns of failure were different in sexual crimes against children compared to those against adults. Criminology should pay closer attention to failure in crime. This understudied area can yield important theoretical knowledge and practical implications regarding the prevention of sexual crimes.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":48272,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Criminal Justice","volume":"95 ","pages":"Article 102297"},"PeriodicalIF":3.3,"publicationDate":"2024-10-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142416991","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"社会学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2024-10-02DOI: 10.1016/j.jcrimjus.2024.102295
Patrick J. Burke
Purpose
The study analyzed whether the number of drug-selling spots has an impact on shooting incidents in drug markets on the Westside of Chicago.
Methods
A theory of gun violence in drug markets was developed by building on veto players theory, and tested using a series of two-way fixed-effects Poisson regressions. The main variable of interest—drug-selling spots—comes from an original dataset comprised of eighty drug-selling spots identified through covert field observations. Controls included: the average age and average number of drug spot workers at the drug-selling spots, concentrated disadvantage, population, police anti-drug operations, and drug demand.
Findings
In support of the theory, the main statistical models and robustness tests consistently found that the larger the number of drug-selling spots in a given drug market, the higher the number of shooting incidents over time. Only the control for population remained consistently statistically significant across model specifications.
Conclusion
The study contributes to the drug market literature by offering a novel theory of drug market violence, as well as a replicable way for researchers to observe drug market activity without disturbing the natural behaviors of market participants. The operationalization of drug-selling spots as sub-factions of organized criminal groups also provides a novel approach to the study of drug market violence.
{"title":"Veto players and gun violence in drug markets: Analysis based on field observations of eighty drug-selling spots on the Westside of Chicago","authors":"Patrick J. Burke","doi":"10.1016/j.jcrimjus.2024.102295","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jcrimjus.2024.102295","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Purpose</h3><div>The study analyzed whether the number of drug-selling spots has an impact on shooting incidents in drug markets on the Westside of Chicago.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>A theory of gun violence in drug markets was developed by building on veto players theory, and tested using a series of two-way fixed-effects Poisson regressions. The main variable of interest—drug-selling spots—comes from an original dataset comprised of eighty drug-selling spots identified through covert field observations. Controls included: the average age and average number of drug spot workers at the drug-selling spots, concentrated disadvantage, population, police anti-drug operations, and drug demand.</div></div><div><h3>Findings</h3><div>In support of the theory, the main statistical models and robustness tests consistently found that the larger the number of drug-selling spots in a given drug market, the higher the number of shooting incidents over time. Only the control for population remained consistently statistically significant across model specifications.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>The study contributes to the drug market literature by offering a novel theory of drug market violence, as well as a replicable way for researchers to observe drug market activity without disturbing the natural behaviors of market participants. The operationalization of drug-selling spots as sub-factions of organized criminal groups also provides a novel approach to the study of drug market violence.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":48272,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Criminal Justice","volume":"95 ","pages":"Article 102295"},"PeriodicalIF":3.3,"publicationDate":"2024-10-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142417083","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"社会学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2024-10-01DOI: 10.1016/j.jcrimjus.2024.102293
Nick Drydakis
This study investigates the relationship between social vulnerability, illegal activities, and location-based business disruptions in Athens, the capital of Greece. The research utilises repeated cross-sectional data from 2008, 2014, and 2023, gathered from areas with high levels of criminal activity, reflecting the experiences of business owners and managers in these locations. The findings reveal that heightened levels of social vulnerability—including the presence of illicit drug users and homeless individuals—alongside illegal activities such as gang-related protection rackets and black-market operations, are associated with increased location-based business disruptions. These disruptions manifest in assaults on employees and customers, business burglaries, reputational damage, supply chain problems, and decreased turnover. The study also examines the impact of economic conditions in 2014 and 2023, when Greece's Gross Domestic Product was lower than in 2008, indicating an economic recession. The findings suggest that the economic downturn during these years further exacerbated location-based business disruptions. Conversely, enhanced public safety measures, such as increased police presence, law enforcement, and improved public infrastructure, were associated with a reduction in these disruptions. Furthermore, an interesting insight was that businesses with longer operating histories tend to experience fewer location-based disruptions, indicating that operating history might be perceived as a resilience factor. The study suggests that policy actions should focus on increasing police visibility, providing financial support to high-risk businesses, funding urban regeneration projects, maintaining public infrastructure, and delivering social services aimed at helping marginalised communities escape vulnerability.
{"title":"Business disruptions due to social vulnerability and criminal activities in urban areas","authors":"Nick Drydakis","doi":"10.1016/j.jcrimjus.2024.102293","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jcrimjus.2024.102293","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study investigates the relationship between social vulnerability, illegal activities, and location-based business disruptions in Athens, the capital of Greece. The research utilises repeated cross-sectional data from 2008, 2014, and 2023, gathered from areas with high levels of criminal activity, reflecting the experiences of business owners and managers in these locations. The findings reveal that heightened levels of social vulnerability—including the presence of illicit drug users and homeless individuals—alongside illegal activities such as gang-related protection rackets and black-market operations, are associated with increased location-based business disruptions. These disruptions manifest in assaults on employees and customers, business burglaries, reputational damage, supply chain problems, and decreased turnover. The study also examines the impact of economic conditions in 2014 and 2023, when Greece's Gross Domestic Product was lower than in 2008, indicating an economic recession. The findings suggest that the economic downturn during these years further exacerbated location-based business disruptions. Conversely, enhanced public safety measures, such as increased police presence, law enforcement, and improved public infrastructure, were associated with a reduction in these disruptions. Furthermore, an interesting insight was that businesses with longer operating histories tend to experience fewer location-based disruptions, indicating that operating history might be perceived as a resilience factor. The study suggests that policy actions should focus on increasing police visibility, providing financial support to high-risk businesses, funding urban regeneration projects, maintaining public infrastructure, and delivering social services aimed at helping marginalised communities escape vulnerability.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":48272,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Criminal Justice","volume":"95 ","pages":"Article 102293"},"PeriodicalIF":3.3,"publicationDate":"2024-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142416993","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"社会学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2024-09-30DOI: 10.1016/j.jcrimjus.2024.102296
Heather Wolbers, Timothy Cubitt, Anthony Morgan
Purpose
We examine the extent of offense specialization among outlaw motorcycle gang affiliates across Australia using a multi-metric approach, and by doing so compare diverse measures of specialization.
Methods
The sample consisted of 19,633 offenses, committed by 2283 affiliates of outlaw motor cycle gangs (OMCGs), disaggregated into four offense categories: ongoing criminal enterprise, short-term instrumental, violence and intimidation, and other offenses against person. Six specialization metrics were employed to measure specialization among the full sample of affiliates and relevant subgroups.
Results
Of the six metrics employed to measure specialization, five suggested a high degree of versatility in offending among OMCG affiliates. Results were inconsistent across metrics when examining levels of specialization among subgroups of OMCG affiliates, and across offense categories.
Conclusions
OMCGs are highly versatile in their offending, demonstrating the importance of interventions targeting organized, violent and lower-level volume crime. However, different measures of specialization yielded inconsistent results and appeared to be measuring different constructs. The suitability of metrics is dependent on the nature of the data and research question of interest. Future specialization research should employ a multi-metric approach to thoroughly explore specialization and improve the ability for cross study comparisons.
{"title":"Offense specialization among outlaw motorcycle gang members: Comparing specialization metrics","authors":"Heather Wolbers, Timothy Cubitt, Anthony Morgan","doi":"10.1016/j.jcrimjus.2024.102296","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jcrimjus.2024.102296","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Purpose</h3><div>We examine the extent of offense specialization among outlaw motorcycle gang affiliates across Australia using a multi-metric approach, and by doing so compare diverse measures of specialization.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>The sample consisted of 19,633 offenses, committed by 2283 affiliates of outlaw motor cycle gangs (OMCGs), disaggregated into four offense categories: ongoing criminal enterprise, short-term instrumental, violence and intimidation, and other offenses against person. Six specialization metrics were employed to measure specialization among the full sample of affiliates and relevant subgroups.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Of the six metrics employed to measure specialization, five suggested a high degree of versatility in offending among OMCG affiliates. Results were inconsistent across metrics when examining levels of specialization among subgroups of OMCG affiliates, and across offense categories.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>OMCGs are highly versatile in their offending, demonstrating the importance of interventions targeting organized, violent and lower-level volume crime. However, different measures of specialization yielded inconsistent results and appeared to be measuring different constructs. The suitability of metrics is dependent on the nature of the data and research question of interest. Future specialization research should employ a multi-metric approach to thoroughly explore specialization and improve the ability for cross study comparisons.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":48272,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Criminal Justice","volume":"95 ","pages":"Article 102296"},"PeriodicalIF":3.3,"publicationDate":"2024-09-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142358999","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"社会学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}