Date of Award

2024

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Criminal Justice, Legal Studies, and Homeland Security (D.P.S.)

Department

Division of Criminal Justice and Homeland Security

First Advisor

Jie Xu

Second Advisor

Bernard Jones

Third Advisor

Brian Harte

Abstract

The U.S. homeless population’s size, vulnerability, and crime victim and offender risk merit further investigation. Valuable studies relating to homelessness and crime have been completed. However, there are missing notes in which a sample populace of homeless encampment sites, and subject matter expert opinions are combined into one study. A relationship tradition exists in the criminology research arena between appearance and esthetics levels in areas as visual cues and criminality. Through the decades, variations in crime rates across different settings have resulted in research about setting appearance and changes in frequency of crimes committed there. The purpose of this study is to fill the void by connecting the presence of homeless encampments to frequency changes in area crime rates in that location. In order to display this relationship, multiple modes of research and data analysis have been completed. A Study of twelve homeless encampments on railroad property are utilized in this multiple methods analysis, to display foundational criminal justice theories. These theories include theories of choice, behavior, patterns, environmental criminology, collective efficacy, and the spatial effect on crime rates from a homeless encampment epicenter. Surveys were also completed with subject matter experts from the involved theoretical and practical fields. Through a combination of data analysis and findings, this dissertation provides correlations between the effects of homeless encampments, vulnerable populace management, as well as the validation of Broken Windows and Social Decay/Disorder Theories involving homeless encampments on railroad properties and right of ways.

Download

Included in

Criminology Commons

Share

COinS