Security Journal 

About: Security Journal is an academic journal published by Palgrave Macmillan. The journal publishes majorly in the area(s): Airport security & Organised crime. It has an ISSN identifier of 0955-1662. Over the lifetime, 835 publications have been published receiving 11905 citations.

The Utility of Hotspot Mapping for Predicting Spatial Patterns of Crime

Abstract: Hotspot mapping is a popular analytical technique that is used to help identify where to target police and crime reduction resources. In essence, hotspot mapping is used as a basic form of crime prediction, relying on retrospective data to identify the areas of high concentrations of crime and where policing and other crime reduction resources should be deployed. A number of different mapping techniques are used for identifying hotspots of crime – point mapping, thematic mapping of geographic areas (e.g. Census areas), spatial ellipses, grid thematic mapping and kernel density estimation (KDE). Several research studies have discussed the use of these methods for identifying hotspots of crime, usually based on their ease of use and ability to spatially interpret the location, size, shape and orientation of clusters of crime incidents. Yet surprising, very little research has compared how hotspot mapping techniques can accurately predict where crimes will occur in the future. This research uses crime data for a period before a fixed date (that has already passed) to generate hotspot maps, and test their accuracy for predicting where crimes will occur next. Hotspot mapping accuracy is compared in relation to the mapping technique that is used to identify concentrations of crime events (thematic mapping of Census Output Areas, spatial ellipses, grid thematic mapping, and KDE) and by crime type – four crime types are compared (burglary, street crime, theft from vehicles and theft of vehicles). The results from this research indicate that crime hotspot mapping prediction abilities differ between the different techniques and differ by crime type. KDE was the technique that consistently outperformed the others, while street crime hotspot maps were consistently better at predicting where future street crime would occur when compared to results for the hotspot maps of different crime types. The research offers the opportunity to benchmark comparative research of other techniques and other crime types, including comparisons between advanced spatial analysis techniques and predic-tion mapping methods. Understanding how hotspot mapping can predict spatial patterns of crime and how different mapping methods compare will help to better inform their application in practice.

Near-Repeat Patterns in Philadelphia Shootings

Abstract: Research from property crime studies has identified a near-repeat phenomenon, where the risk of repeat burglary victimization is transmitted from a burgled location to nearby locations for a limited amount of time. This article explores the potential for near-repeat patterns to exist in another crime type, specifically the incidence of shootings. Using new tools developed to quantify the spatio-temporal patterns of near-repeats, a study in Philadelphia, U.S.A. finds that there are elevated patterns of near-repeat shootings within 2 weeks and one city block of previous incidents. The elevated risk of a shooting during this period is found to be 33 per cent greater than expected. It is speculated that possible reasons include coercion, retaliation and escalation. Given that the study takes place against the backdrop of a police operation to mitigate retaliatory shootings, the potential for using this information to influence crime prevention policy is discussed.

The role of neighborhood parks as crime generators

Abstract: Neighborhood parks in urban areas have long been seen as contested spaces. Because they are publically owned, they are at the same time everyone's and no one's. As public resources they have little intrinsic guardianship and thus are susceptible to being taken over for undesirable activities (that is, living spaces for the homeless, markets for drug dealers and delinquent behavior magnets for juveniles). While much has been written about parks and crime, little research exists which empirically examines the topic. The current research examines neighborhood parks in Philadelphia, PA as they relate to crime and disorder that occurs outdoors. We use primary data collection to quantify the number of potential activity generators (recreation centers, pools, playground, night lighting, and so on) and other park characteristics. Land use on adjacent streets is also collected. Our analysis finds that neighborhood parks are associated with increased levels of crime in the surrounding area. However, specific characteristics of parks are associated with lower crime levels.

A Classification of Techniques for Controlling Situational Precipitators of Crime

Abstract: The most widely known classification of situational crime prevention techniques is that presented by Clarke. The latest version of the classification proposed 16 techniques for preventing crime through opportunity reduction. The present paper suggests a complementary classification of 16 techniques for controlling situational precipitators of crime. The new classification is based on the argument that there are two distinct situational forces acting upon potential offenders—the perceived costs and benefits of intended criminal acts (the basis of Clarke's classification) and factors that may induce individuals to commit crimes that they would not have otherwise considered (the basis of the present classification).

Gender, crime victimization and fear of crime

Abstract: Crime and security on college campuses have received increasingly widespread attention in light of several recent, high-profile events. This study examines the relationship between victimization and fear of crime in a sample of college students, filling gaps in the literature by addressing key issues related to gender differences in fear. A sample of young adults was asked about prior victimization and fear of crime. Gender differences between men and women are examined in terms of relationships among four main types of personal victimization: stalking, sexual assault, family violence and intimate partner violence (IPV). Findings indicate that females are victimized more and are more fearful of crime than males. Race is also associated with fear in this sample. Furthermore, some types of crime victimization are significantly associated with fear of crime, although these associations differ from daytime to night. Implications are discussed in terms of gender, fear and crime victimization on campus.