title: Testing Ecological Theories of Offender Spatial Decision Making Using a Discrete Choice Model.
abstract: Research demonstrates that crime is spatially concentrated. However, most research relies on information about where crimes occur, without reference to where offenders reside. This study examines how the characteristics of neighborhoods and their proximity to offender home locations affect offender spatial decision making. Using a discrete choice model and data for detected incidents oftheft from vehicles (TFV), we test predictions from two theoretical perspectives-crime pattern and social disorganization theories. We demonstrate that offenders favor areas that are low in social cohesion and closer to their home, or other age-related activity nodes. For adult offenders, choices also appear to be influenced by how accessible a neighborhood is via the street network. The implications for criminological theory and crime prevention are discussed.
authors: University College London, UK.
authors: Shane D
authors: SD
authors: Johnson
authors: Texas State University, San Marcos, USA.
authors: Lucia
authors: L
authors: Summers
keywords: crime location choice; crime pattern theory; journey to crime; social cohesion; theft from motor vehicle