Impact of a crime prevention ordinance for small retail establishments

Jonathan Davis; Carri Casteel; Cammie C Menéndez

doi:10.1002/ajim.23239

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Journal article

Impact of a crime prevention ordinance for small retail establishments

Jonathan Davis, Carri Casteel and Cammie C Menéndez

American journal of industrial medicine, Vol.64(6), pp.488-495

06/2021

DOI: 10.1002/ajim.23239

PMID: 33682159

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https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/11070224View

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Abstract

Background Ordinances requiring the implementation of robbery prevention measures have been enacted at the city level in many jurisdictions. We evaluated the impact of an ordinance requiring crime prevention measures on subsequent crime rates. Methods Crime reports for robbery and aggravated assault from January 2006 through December 2015 were linked to randomly‐selected convenience stores and small retail grocers in Houston (n = 293). Store characteristics and compliance with a list of safety measures were collected by surveyors in 2011. Generalized linear mixed models were used to compare rates of crime before and after the implementation of the ordinance. Results Robberies decreased significantly after the ordinance went into effect (rate ratio = 0.38; 95% confidence interval 0.29–0.51). No individual safety measure was associated with decreased robbery rates. No similar decrease was observed for aggravated assault. Conclusions City ordinances mandating crime prevention measures can be effective. We could not parse out the effectiveness of individual elements, suggesting a comprehensive approach may be more effective.

Small Business

built environment

theft prevention

workplace

Details

Title: Subtitle: Impact of a crime prevention ordinance for small retail establishments
Creators: Jonathan Davis - University of Iowa, Occupational and Environmental Health
Carri Casteel - University of Iowa, Occupational and Environmental Health
Cammie C Menéndez - Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Resource Type: Journal article
Publication Details: American journal of industrial medicine, Vol.64(6), pp.488-495
DOI: 10.1002/ajim.23239
PMID: 33682159
NLM abbreviation: Am J Ind Med
ISSN: 0271-3586
eISSN: 1097-0274
Number of pages: 8
Grant note: CDC National Center for Injury Prevention and Control (R49CE002108)
Language: English
Date published: 06/2021
Academic Unit: Radiology; Occupational and Environmental Health; Research Administration; Epidemiology; Physics and Astronomy; Radiation Oncology; Injury Prevention Research Center
Record Identifier: 9984215355002771

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