NCJ Number
115926
Journal
Journal of Police Science Administration Volume: 16 Issue: 2 Dated: (June 1988), F 126-135
Date Published
1988
Length
10 pages
Annotation
This study employed selected concepts and methods from environmental criminology to analyze motor vehicle theft in the Peel Region of Ontario, Canada.
Abstract
Results of a 1984 analysis of such thefts indicate that they were primarily crimes of opportunity (joyriding) rather than of motivation (professional car thieves). Thefts generally occurred near areas of easy availability, involved young males 16 to 20 years old, and focused on family automobiles with little regard to the vehicles age or value. Industrial parks, densely populated areas, and the international airport were the primary target locations. On the basis of these data, opportune areas for motor vehicle theft were examined by selected ecological/spatial independent variables and the dependent variable of theft per capita rate. Independent variables selected for modeling included age structure of population, population density, accessibility, percent of single-family households, and parking spots per square mile. Using these variables a multiple regression model was developed and the most significant independent variables were isolated and mapped with the independent variable. Extreme positive residuals were then mapped to identify patrol zones that did not fit the norm. These areas are areas in which professional thieves may be at work. 5 figures and 2 tables.