Emmanuel Barthe

Temporal Distributions of Crime and Disorder in Casino and Non-Casino Zones

Research on the relationship between casinos and crime has yielded mixed conclusions. Some authors argue that casinos are crime attractors and provide fertile grounds for disorder in the surrounding communities. Others claim that the impact of casinos on the crime problem has been over-stated and that casinos in themselves are not crime generators. Relying on calls for service and incidents known to the police, this research reveals the specific spatial and temporal characteristics of all criminal and disorderly behaviors around casino venues.

Impact of casinos on criminogenic patterns

Utilizing police calls for service data this study examines the relationship between different crime hotspots across a gaming jurisdiction (Reno, Nevada). Conventional wisdom suggests that casinos play a role in the creation, maintenance, and nature of crime hotspots; however, prior analyses of this relationship have been inconsistent. This study looks at the city’s various crime hotspots and compares them according to crime type and spatial–temporal characteristics to shed light on the impact of gaming on the city’s overall crime problem. Implications for law enforcement agencies are also discussed.

CASINOS AS “HOT SPOTS” AND THE GENERATION OF CRIME

ABSTRACT Casino venues, according to prevailing assumptions, tend to be high crime areas. Often, they are also tourist attractions. Both of these factors may be the major contributors to the creation of “hot spots”. While previous studies have examined the casino-crime connection at an aggregate level, the present research focuses on the geographic distribution of crime in a major casino resort city to determine the spatial impact of gambling establishments on criminal activity. Relying on police incident reports, this paper examines the following questions: What is the impact of the “population at risk” on a casinos crime problem and what is the spatial “reach” of casinos in terms of their effects on street crimes (“spill-over” effect)?

Commercializing success: the impact of popular media on the career decisions and perceptual accuracy of criminal justice students

Interest in the field of criminal justice continues to grow and attract students to this area of higher education. These students typically represent society in that their beliefs about the justice system are based on media depictions, not education or experience. This study surveyed Introduction to Criminal Justice students from two universities, and compared their television viewing habits with (1) their perceptions of the justice system, (2) their knowledge of justice system policies and procedures, and (3) their occupational aspirations. It was found that self-reported media exposure affected both perceptions of the justice system and major selection. Specifically, viewing law enforcement related television influenced major selection, while forensic and court related shows negatively impacted perceptual accuracy.

Impact of increased police presence in a non-criminogenic area

Police experiments typically study saturation patrols and crackdown initiatives in high crime areas. Similarly, some evaluation efforts focus on the efficacy of problem-solving techniques to reduce offending rates in crime hot spots. However, little academic attention has been paid to the impact of these types of approaches on affluent neighborhoods because these types of crime control initiative are not routinely carried out in intact neighborhoods. This research examines the impact of saturation patrols in affluent neighborhoods and its effect on offender behavior.