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Abstract

This study examines the role that disorder and neighborhood physical condition play in explaining the variance in crime, controlling for theoretically relevant neighborhood socioeconomic conditions. Three hundred forty-nine blocks were randomly selected from two police precincts in Mobile, Alabama. Violent crime, property crime, and disorder were measured by block from police department data. An environmental survey was conducted by block to determine various physical characteristics that are believed to attract or repel predatory criminals. Violent crime and property crime were regressed on disorder, physical condition, and several socioeconomic variables. Models were constructed to explore the interaction between disorder and physical condition. The findings reveal an interaction between disorder and physical condition that are significantly related to crime, controlling for socioeconomic variables. Implications of the findings are discussed with respect to the “broken windows” controversy and practical police tactical operations.

Keywords

crime and disorder police crime prevention

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Physical Deterioration,Disorder,and Crime

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