Understanding the Spatial Patterns of Police Activity and Mental Health in a Canadian City

Mental health-related calls for service are increasing across Canadian communities. However, the spatial dynamics of these calls for service and their potential relationship with concentrations of crime has not been fully investigated in the Canadian context. The current study examines mental health...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Hodgkinson, Tarah (Author)
Contributors: Andresen, Martin A.
Format: Electronic Article
Language:English
Published: [2019]
In: Journal of contemporary criminal justice
Year: 2019, Volume: 35, Issue: 2, Pages: 221-240
Online Access: Volltext (Resolving-System)
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Keywords:
Mental health
Hot spots
Point pattern
Crime and place
Micro-place
Description
Summary:Mental health-related calls for service are increasing across Canadian communities. However, the spatial dynamics of these calls for service and their potential relationship with concentrations of crime has not been fully investigated in the Canadian context. The current study examines mental health and other calls for service in a medium-sized (approximate population of 250,000), midwestern Canadian city in the year 2014. Using kernel density analysis and a spatial point pattern test, the study explores the concentration and spatial patterns of mental health calls for service across the city. Findings indicate that mental health calls for service differ from other crime-related calls for service, except for violent crime. Possible explanations for this pattern and considerations for policy and policing are discussed.
ISSN:1552-5406
DOI:10.1177/1043986219842014