The spatial distribution of sting targets

Abstract This article explores the relationship between the location of a storefront sting and the spatial distribution of thefts that led to storefront transactions. Through the use of data from Birmingham, Alabama that were transformed to describe the spatial distribution of sting auto thefts plus a sample of all auto thefts in the area, the dispersion of sting auto thefts about the sting site is described, and the pattern is related to the spatial distribution of all auto thefts. Through centrographic measures and graphics it is shown that sting auto thefts tended to be concentrated about the storefront location, and that pattern of sting auto thefts is related to the general pattern of auto theft in Birmingham.

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