Spatio-temporal variations in urban crime in Ogbomos, Nigeria

Against the background of the increasing frequency, scope and sophistication of crime as well as the insurmountable problems associated with its seemingly uncontrollable tendencies in cities of the world generally and Nigerian urban centers in particular, this paper examines the rates, forms and spatio-temporal variations in urban crime in Ogbomoso, Nigeria. The paper utilizes a nine-year (1995-2003) police crime record obtained from the Divisional Police Headquarters of the two local governments whose areas of jurisdiction cover the metropolis. A total of 4767 reviewed crime cases were reclassified into ten categories and examined by location within the existing urban spatial structure of high, medium and low density residential densities. All the ten categories of crime identified were encountered. However, the most prevalent were crime of acquisition (48.8%) and aggression (28.3%), with the high density area having the greatest concentration of cases. The temporal analysis shows that crime trend decreased in Ogbomoso within the period of study, a feat attributed to more gainful employment for the urban youths, particularly the increase in the use of motor cycle popularly known as “Okada” as a mode of intra-city transportation. The causal factors of crime are examined within structuralism and individualism paradigms. On planning implications, it is suggested that principles guiding landuse zoning (or allocation), infrastructural planning, and building design be reviewed so as to prevent the creation of danger zone within the urban landscape. Global Journal of Environmental Sciences Vol. 6 (1) 2007: pp. 21-26