NCJ Number
228171
Journal
Homicide Studies Volume: 13 Issue: 3 Dated: August 2009 Pages: 325-335
Date Published
August 2009
Length
11 pages
Annotation
This article examines whether the effect of concentrated disadvantage on local homicide levels is attenuated by levels of recent arrivals.
Abstract
Findings from this study suggest that in Chicago recent immigrants help to reduce homicide levels but only in the context of disadvantage. Specifically, the positive effect of neighborhood disadvantage on local homicide is weakened in contexts of dense populations of recent immigrants. Although this finding may at first seem counter-intuitive, on closer inspection it is consistent with our general understanding of immigrant adaptation and assimilation. Immigrants do best in contexts that are receptive to them. Recently arrived immigrants were associated with reductions of lethal violence in disadvantaged neighborhoods, suggesting that the influx of recent immigrants in disadvantaged neighborhoods reinvigorates local economic opportunity structures and social networks, and revitalizes neighborhood organizations and institutions. Recent immigrants appear to elevate homicide via the potential disruption they cause in local social networks and efforts at community social control. Data were collected from archival and secondary data sources in Chicago between the periods of 1993-1995. The average population of the census tract in Chicago was 3,466 residents, a total of 786 tracts were selected. Table, figure, and references