Crime and specific vacancy types in smaller cities and towns

ABSTRACT Prior studies indicate that vacant houses (both derelict and occupiable) are often associated with increased crime. However, the majority of the research on that relationship has been conducted in large cities and urban areas. Thus, the present study aimed to provide additional clarity about vacancy’s association with crime by examining a sample of smaller cities and towns. Additionally, while prior work has focused on various kinds of vacancy, only a few studies have examined the potentially criminogenic effects of different vacancy types simultaneously. The present research contributes to additional clarity on this point by including specific forms of empty occupiable housing as predictors. The analysis also controlled for other structural factors commonly associated with crime. The results indicated that overall vacancy had a significant association with burglary but not with robbery. The results for these smaller municipalities are compared to the findings of studies conducted in larger urban areas, and their policy implications are then discussed.