Neighborhood Disadvantage in a Moderately Sized City: A SEM Analysis

• NCJ Number: 226007
• Journal: Criminal Justice Studies Volume: 21 Issue: 4 Dated: December 2008 Pages: 325-340
• Author(s): Brandon R. Kooi; Justin W. Patchin
• Date Published: December 2008
• Length: 16 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This study examined support for social disorganization theory--the theory that the inability of neighbors to organize around common values contributes to antisocial and illegal behaviors--in a moderately sized Midwest urban city.

Abstract

The findings suggest that residential stability and increased homeownership could mediate the effects of visible violence, disorder, and property offenses (i.e., quality-of-life offenses). These effects are most likely due to greater social cohesion among neighbors, combined with their willingness to intervene on behalf of the common good. These findings are consistent with previous studies (notably Sampson et al., 1997) that emphasize the importance of developing longstanding social relationships in communities that enable citizens to enforce their values in the neighborhood where they live. This suggests that informal social control can be enhanced by policymakers by offering incentives to increase stable housing and/or provide widespread homeownership as a means for increasing social capital. One suggestion offered is alternative tax-subsidies not only for expanding homeownership but also for promoting the integration of homeowners and renters. Future research should focus on assessing the effects of creating an interdependent link between housing and community organizations. These studies should also consider market-directed foreclosures and the impact on neighborhood-level disorganization within urban, suburban, and rural settings. The study analyzed the effects of disadvantage and immigrant concentration on residential stability and official crime statistics over a 6-year period (1995-2000). Data on neighborhood disadvantage were obtained from the U.S. Decennial Census. The primary dependent variable was “visible crime” (police incidents recorded as occurring “outdoors” and consequently most visible in determining neighborhood quality of life). Three independent variables measured were concentrated disadvantage, immigrant concentration, and residential stability. Data obtained from police incidents and census variables were geocoded to 114 block group locations. 4 tables, 2 figures, 7 notes, and 62 references