Measuring immediate spatial displacement : Methodological issues and problems

Abstract: While much attention has been paid to the idea of displacementin crime place theory and research, methodological problems associated withits measurement have often been overlooked. We focus on such issues in thecontext of immediate spatial displacement around hot spots of crime. Usingthe Minneapolis Hot Spots Experiment (Sherman and Weisburd, 1995) as anexample, we identify specific problems investigators are likely to face indocumenting displacement effects. We argue that conventional studies areunlikely to provide a powerful research design for examining displacement,in part because of efforts to maximize the identification of main programeffects. In conclusion, we suggest that studies specifically designed formeasuring displacement (and the related phenomenon of diffusion) must bedeveloped if criminologists are to make significant advances in this area.INTRODUCTIONThe development of situational and environmental study in criminologyhas long been impeded by the idea of displacement. At least from the timeof Sutherland (1947), the view held by most criminologists has been thatopportunities for criminality found in specific places or situations are aminor feature of the crime equation. Criminal opportunities have beenassumed to exist in almost unlimited quantities, and offenders themselvesAddress correspondence to: David Weisburd, Institute of Criminology, Faculty ofLaw, Hebrew University, Mt. Scopus, Jerusalem 91905, Israel.349