Subway Station and Neighborhood Crime: An Egohood Analysis Using Subway Ridership and Crime Data in New York City

In the current study, we examine the effects of the number of subway stations as well as magnitude of subway ridership on crime in 1/4-mile egohoods in New York City, while accounting for structural characteristics and land uses. Longitudinal analyses are conducted using a set of negative binomial regression fixed effects models. We found that the number of subway stations have crime-enhancing effects for robbery, aggravated assault, burglary, and larceny, but crime-reducing for motor vehicle theft. We found mixed findings for subway ridership across different crime types. We also found that the effects of subway stations are moderated by the proportion of retail land use in place. The findings provide evidence that subway stations and ridership have important consequences for the spatial patterns of crime.

Automated summary

This study examines the effects of subway station numbers and ridership on crime in New York City, taking into account structural characteristics and land use. Results show that the number of subway stations has a crime-enhancing effect on robbery, aggravated assault, burglary, and larceny, but a crime-reducing effect on motor vehicle theft. The effects of subway ridership vary across different types of crime. Additionally, the proportion of retail land use moderates the effects of subway stations.