Examining Firearm Offenses: Social Disorganization, Proximity From Home, and Crime Type

Extent literature on social disorganization theory posits that offenses occur in disadvantaged neighborhoods where informal social controls are less effective. Further, research into the spatial dynamics of crime and offender decision-making shows that offenders choose to offend in neighborhoods where risk of apprehension is low, such as those where informal social control is weakened. This study examines whether social disorganization, measured as concentrated disadvantage and residential mobility, within offenders’ home neighborhood influences residence-to-crime distance in St. Louis City, using data from a sample of felony firearm arrests from 07-2015 through 06-2018. Findings show that concentrated disadvantage significantly influences the distance of residence-to-crime. In addition, crime specific analyses indicate that this relationship is significant for instrumental, but not expressive crime types.