Spatial/temporal variations of crime: a routine activity theory perspective

Temporal and spatial patterns of crime in Campinas, Brazil, are analyzed considering the relevance of routine activity theory in a Latin American context. We use geo-referenced criminal event data, 2010-2013, analyzing spatial patterns using census tracts and temporal patterns considering seasons, m...

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Bibliographic Details
Authors: Melo, Silas Nogueira de (Author) ; Pereira, Débora V. S. (Author) ; Andresen, Martin A. (Author)
Format: Electronic Article
Language:English
Published: 2018
In: International journal of offender therapy and comparative criminology
Year: 2018, Volume: 62, Issue: 7, Pages: 1967-1991
Online Access: Volltext (Verlag)
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Keywords:
Crime seasonality
Temporal analysis
Spatial analys
Routine activity theory
Brasilien
Kriminelle
Spatiotemporal analysis
Description
Summary:Temporal and spatial patterns of crime in Campinas, Brazil, are analyzed considering the relevance of routine activity theory in a Latin American context. We use geo-referenced criminal event data, 2010-2013, analyzing spatial patterns using census tracts and temporal patterns considering seasons, months, days, and hours. Our analyses include difference in means tests, count-based regression models, and Kulldorff’s scan test. We find that crime in Campinas, Brazil, exhibits both temporal and spatial-temporal patterns. However, the presence of these patterns at the different temporal scales varies by crime type. Specifically, not all crime types have statistically significant temporal patterns at all scales of analysis. As such, routine activity theory works well to explain temporal and spatial-temporal patterns of crime in Campinas, Brazil. However, local knowledge of Brazilian culture is necessary for understanding a portion of these crime patterns.
ISSN:1552-6933
DOI:10.1177/0306624X17703654