Offender-target redistribution on a new public transport system

This study seeks evidence that a newly introduced light rail system has altered the crime opportunity structure in a north-eastern United States city. New public transport systems may affect crime opportunities in their constituent neighborhoods, either by introducing non-local offenders to previously unexplored 'hunting grounds', or by delivering new opportunities to local offenders already active in station neighborhoods. Chi-square analyses of arrest data connected to offenses committed in station areas before and after service introduction found little evidence that the new system had either introduced non-local offenders to its constituent neighborhoods or contributed with new targets to local offenders. These findings are important to transport planners and crime scientists alike, as this evidence may help to both reframe public discourse about potential transport system effects on local crime and aid law enforcement in crafting crime prevention strategies.