Research note: sensitivity of SES-crime relationships to the inclusion or exclusion of extreme neighborhoods. (2nd April 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Felson, Marcus; Jiang, Shanhe; Xu, Yanqing
• Is Part Of: Papers in applied geography. Volume 6:Number 2(2020)
• Page Start: 151
• Page End: 158
• Publication Date: 2020-04-02
• Subjects: Crime and SES -- crime outflows -- crime geography -- crime ecology -- crime mobility triangles; Applied human geography -- Periodicals; Geography -- Periodicals; 910
• DOI: 10.1080/23754931.2020.1747526
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2375-4931

Abstract

Abstract: Objectives: This research examines whether SES-crime relationships in Detroit, Michigan, are influenced by including or excluding the highest and lowest one per cent of neighborhoods in SES from correlation and regression analyses. Methods: We studied 879 census block groups in Detroit, Michigan from 2011–2015. SES variables are ratios of (a) per cent in poverty; (b) per cent renters; and (c) the ratio of vacant or demolished units to rented or owned units. Dependent variables include residential burglaries, domestic and non-domestic assaults. Relationships were calculated with and without extreme block groups. Results: SES-crime correlations over space are surprisingly small and can be affected by a few extreme neighborhoods. Some SES-crime correlations are not robust. Regression analyses show that omission of extreme neighborhoods can reverse signs or remove statistical significance. Conclusions: Future researchers should examine the impact of extreme values explicitly before embarking on further analysis.