Travel to Violence Report New Mexico Statistical Analysis Center
Introduction
The criminological literature has long suggested that perpetrators offend close to home (Lu 2003; Rossmo 2000; Wiles and Costello 2000; McIver 1981). While this may have traditionally been the case, such travel patterns are dependent on the spatial distribution of residential neighborhoods, and the use of public spaces characteristics that vary both over time and by geographic region. Much of the research that has demonstrated localized offending patterns has been based on analyses of older cities whose patterns of development predated the widespread use of the automobile. Yet, both patterns of residential development and the use of public spaces have changed in many of the fastest growing western cities. Public spaces, such as nightclubs, movie theaters, and shopping districts are often no longer located exclusively within or close to residential neighborhoods. As a result, the spatial distribution of offenders, victims, and incidents may no longer follow this established pattern. Just as individuals and groups in some cities are more...