The Influence of Gentrification on Gang Homicides in Chicago Neighborhoods, 1994 to 2005

Abstract

In this study, the author examines the effects of three forms of gentrification—demographic shifts, private investment, and state intervention—on gang-motivated homicides in Chicago from 1994 to 2005 using data from the U.S. Census, the Chicago Police Department, business directories, and the Chicago Housing Authority. The findings suggest that demographic shifts have a strong negative effect on gang homicide. Private investment gentrification, measured here as the proliferation of coffee shops, has a marginally significant and negative effect on gang homicide. In contrast, state-based gentrification, operationalized as the demolition of public housing, has a positive effect on gang homicide.

Gentrification and Violent Crime in New York City

“…For example, the home investment measure used by Kreager et al (2011) was directly related to property value and therefore more likely to result in changes in property crime. In contrast, the coffee shop measure used by Papachristos et al (2011) andC. M. Smith (2012) was more likely to be associated with changes in neighborhood culture such as how the use of violence was viewed.…”

“…This strategy limited the ability to incorporate cultural changes associated with gentrification, which was important given the subjective nature of the definition of gentrification. Papachristos et al (2011) and C. M. Smith (2012) overcame this limitation by operationalizing gentrification through the number of high-end coffee shops, a measure of local culture. While innovative, this strategy was somewhat limited as the location of coffee shops was influenced by city planning efforts, individual tastes, and residential preferences.…”

“…In contrast, recent studies incorporated non-census measures such as coffee shops (Papachristos et al, 2011;C. M. Smith, 2012) or mortgage lending information (Kreager et al, 2011) to allow for refined measurement of gentrification.…”

Street Gangs, Gun Violence, and Focused Deterrence: Comparing Place-based and Group-based Evaluation Methods to Estimate Direct and Spillover Deterrent Effects

“…Relative to urban areas without public housing developments, housing project areas tend to be associated with higher levels of gang homicide (Smith 2014).…”

Testing Broken Windows Theory in Mexico City

“…However, the presence of parks has been associated with homicide declines, as it is believed that green spaces encourage public gatherings and informal guardianship (Culyba et al., ). Similarly, coffee shops seem to have negative effect on gang homicide (Smith, ).…”