NCJ Number
76521
Date Published
1981
Length
17 pages
Annotation
The relationship between fluctuations in urban crime rates and changes in business investment practices in cities was investigated.
Abstract
Four areas of analysis were examined: (1) the effect of manufacturing labor force size changes on the crime rate, (2) the effect of changes in the central city hardship index on personal and violent crime rates, (3) regional characteristics' effect on crime rates, and (4) the effect of capital accumulation on the relationship between population density and crime rates. Demographic information and criminal justice data were examined. Regional characteristics generally were not related to crime activity, although relationships were found between some regions and some types of crime. Areas in which accumulation activities were concentrated has lower personal violence and property crime incidences. Decreases in the size of manufacturing labor forces - the result of capital investment changes - were related to increases in violent and property crime. Cities in which police force size increased between 1950 and 1970 had lower property crime rates and higher homicide rates. The results indicate that capital accumulation and investment patterns influence the rates of violent and property crimes. Notes and 51 references are included.