NCJ Number
177365
Journal
Security Journal Volume: 12 Issue: 1 Dated: 1999 Pages: 63-78
Date Published
1999
Length
16 pages
Annotation
Using a national survey of self-reported shopping center crime, this study examined how one of the most commonly reported shopping center offenses--motor vehicle theft--was associated with critical elements of the routine activities approach to crime distribution.
Abstract
Data were obtained from a national sample of U.S. malls and shopping centers. Questionnaires were mailed to mall and shopping center managers to assess physical characteristics of their establishments, security services, and the incidence of crime and deviance. Completed questionnaires were returned by 369 or 16.6 percent of the malls and shopping centers surveyed. Managers were specifically asked to report on the total number of criminal offenses, including motor vehicle theft. As expected, the presence of motivated offenders and the absence of capable guardians had significant effects on the extent of motor vehicle theft at malls and shopping centers. The availability of suitable targets, however, did not predict motor vehicle theft in the regression equation. Several possible explanations for the partial support of the routine activities approach are discussed. 27 notes and 3 tables