Oil and Disorder: Youth Crime in North Dakota Boom Communities

Abstract

Juveniles contribute to crime in natural resource-based boom communities, but there has been very little research examining the extent of their involvement. To respond to this gap in the literature, two indicators of youth arrests and court referrals in North Dakota—the state hardest hit by the 2000s oil boom—were examined. Although arrest rates for North Dakota youth were more than two times higher than the national average in 2019, almost three-quarters of them were for minor offenses. In addition, arrest and court referral rates in oil-producing counties were lower than those for non oil-producing counties. When controlling for demographic and economic factors, and county-specific fixed effects in panel analyses from 2011 to 2019, oil production is negatively associated with youth arrest rates, but positively associated with juvenile court referrals. However, oil-producing counties had very strong county-specific fixed effects which on average raised youth arrest and court referral rates. Arrest rates were also positively associated with unemployment rates while median household income was negatively associated with Group B offenses and juvenile court referrals. Implications for future research into the boom-crime relationship are discussed in light of these findings.

Study on the Localized Application of the Malicious Completion Age System

“…Recent data from France indicate efforts to reduce instances of age supplementation, particularly in online environments, through educational initiatives and public awareness campaigns. Simultaneously, France is endeavoring to strengthen cross-border cooperation to combat instances of cross-border age supplementation [3].…”

“…It also offers a fresh perspective and methodology for preventing and intervening in juvenile delinquency. Moreover, from a scientific standpoint, precise analysis of the psychological and behavioral characteristics of juvenile offenders enables a more rational determination of the type and degree of criminal responsibility, thereby avoiding both excessive protection and undue punishment of minors [3].…”

Drilling Down for Answers: Unmasking the Impact of Oil and Natural Gas Activity on Crime Rates in Texas

“…Housing shortages, rising rent prices, and informal settlements can further exacerbate social inequality ( UN-Habitat, 2003). While the negative impacts on communities are acknowledged, studies on crimes related to oil and gas activities remain limited (Archbold et al, 2014;Gourley & Madonia, 2018;O'Connor, 2015;Ruddell et al, 2022;Ruddell & Ortiz, 2015). This gap emphasizes the need for a comprehensive investigation into the relationship between oil and gas (ONG) activities and criminal behavior, particularly in Texas.…”