More Gas, More Crime: A Geospatial Examination of the Concentration of Gas Stations and Predatory Crime

abstract:Gas stations with convenience stores are often patronized by many American drivers and are a mainstay in the urban infrastructure and geography of American cities. Not only do American drivers fill their gas tanks at gas stations, but they also use restroom facilities and purchase food and drink, and other convenient household items. At gas stations, people may be exposed to a variety of local residents and out-of-towners. Thus, gas stations may create a criminogenic environment due to the large number of people who congregate at the location, some of which may be criminally motivated individuals or suitable crime targets. Further, these locations may lack the proper security and guardianship measures to prevent crime. The current study takes a geospatial approach of the greater Atlanta metropolis to test whether greater concentrations of gas stations within block groups are associated with higher crime counts. After controlling for a number of socio-demographic block-group characteristics, results from various count models find that regardless of the time of the day, block groups with greater concentrations of gas stations are associated with higher violent and property crime counts. Theoretical and policy implications are discussed.