NCJ Number
87955
Journal
Canadian Police College Journal Volume: 6 Issue: 4 Dated: (1982) Pages: 209-225
Date Published
1982
Length
17 pages
Annotation
This study focuses on the ecology of crime in St. John's, Newfoundland, with particular emphasis on the period 1977-1979: mobility, distribution of offenders, and prosecution statistics are addressed.
Abstract
The research explores the environmental conditions under which types of crime seem most pronounced and the spatial and temporal distribution of crimes within the city between 1977 and 1979. It compares the spatial distributions of offenders' residences and of the locations of offenses in general and notes the mobility of crimes. In general, the social geography of St. John's is residentially segregated along social class lines. Overall crime rates in the city between 1976 and 1980 show far more crimes against property than crimes against persons. Methodology involved dividing the city into the eight police areas in terms of which data on calls are organized by the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary. To determine the residence of the offender, the 1976 and 1979 prosecution lists of the Constabulary were used. In 1977 and 1978, the greatest proportion of calls for service originated in Area 2. The greater the proportion of multiple-family dwellings or residents with low levels of education, the more likely are calls to originate from a particular district. With respect to prosecuted offenses in 1976, most of the offenders were under the age of 30. Their offenses include primarily either crimes against property or drunk driving. Offenders under 20 tend to be more mobile; they are more likely to commit crimes in a district other than the one in which they reside. Study findings have important implications for the police in terms of manpower distribution. Eight references, 1 figure, and 14 tables are provided.