From alleys to arterial streets: Unpacking the influence of diverse street types and associated business on urban theft patterns

Abstract

Street segments have witnessed growing scholarly attention for their pivotal role in determining urban crime patterns. However, existing studies have not thoroughly considered the effects of refined street types on crime, let alone their interactive effects with business facilities on crime. This research aims to fill these gaps, by examining the relationship between theft, street type and Facilities in Cincinnati. Results show that alleys and pedestrians are less susceptible to theft than major and minor arterial streets. Interactive terms between street type and Facilities enhance the model's performance and reveal that the concentration of thefts is positively related to the association between Facilities and local streets or major arterial streets. Our findings offer not only add to the existing literature, but also offer insight on urban safety and planning practice.