A Near Repeat Examination of Economic Crimes

Abstract

Criminological inquiry has recently showcased increased attention toward the near repeat phenomenon, which suggests that following an initial criminal event, there is an increased risk for the occurrence of the same type of event spatially and temporally proximate to the initiating event. The majority of previous research tends focuses on the patterns related to violent and conventional property crimes but neglects to examine other economic-related crimes. Given the significant costs associated with this crime type, unpacking hidden patterns may be useful in identifying high-risk areas and deploying appropriate countermeasures. The current study builds on previous examinations of the near repeat phenomenon through the exploration of specific economic crimes (counterfeiting, credit card/ATM fraud, false pretense/swindling) using 6 years of crime data from the Fort Worth (Texas) Police Department. Although near repeat patterns were discovered across multiple analyses, the greatest risk across all analyses was for repeat victimization at the same location. A discussion of policy implications, limitations, and areas for future research are also provided.

Opportunity and rationality as an explanation for suspicious vehicle fires: demonstrating the relevance of time, place, and economic factors

“…Spatio-temporal patterns of arson reveal a higher amount of incidents occurring at night, over the weekend, and in areas with little surveillance (Asgary et al 2010;Grubb and Nobles, 2016;Potter 2000). Arson also demonstrates near-repeat clustering (Grubb and Nobles 2016;Turchan et al 2018) typically observed within other crime types (Bernasco 2008;Johnson 2008;Townsley et al 2003;Powell et al 2019).…”

Breaking the Chain: How Arrests Reduce the Probability of Near Repeat Crimes

“…While most work on near repeat crime patterns has been focused on burglary (S. D. Johnson et al, 2007; Townsley et al, 2003), it has been shown to extend to a variety of different crime types: robbery, shootings, theft from motor vehicles, thefts of motor vehicles, arson, assault, economic crimes, piracy, and terroristic events (Behlendorf et al, 2012; Block & Fujita, 2013; Braithwaite & Johnson, 2012; Haberman & Ratcliffe, 2012; Lockwood, 2012; Marchione & Johnson, 2013; Powell et al, 2019; Sturup et al, 2018; Townsley et al, 2008; Turchan et al, 2019; Wells et al, 2012; Youstin et al, 2011; Zhang et al, 2015).…”

Breaking the chain: How arrests reduce the probability of near repeat crimes

“…For example, a house is burglarized on a Monday, and the next door neighbor is burglarized the following Wednesday. While most work on near repeat crime patterns has been focused on burglary (Townsley, Homel, & Chaseling, 2003;Johnson et al, 2007), it has been shown to extend to a variety of different crime types: robbery, shootings, theft from motor vehicles, thefts of motor vehicles, arson, assault, economic crimes, piracy, and terroristic events (Behlendorf, LaFree, & Legault, 2012;Block & Fujita, 2013;Braithwaite & Johnson, 2012;Haberman & Ratcliffe, 2012;Marchione & Johnson, 2013;Powell, Grubb, & Nobles, 2018;Sturup et al, 2018;Townsley, Johnson, & Ratcliffe, 2008;Turchan et al, 2018;Wells, Wu, & Ye, 2012;Youstin et al, 2011;Zhang et al, 2015).…”