Crime along ritual interstate highways

Abstract

Crime occurs at a lower rate in rural areas than in urban areas (Weisheit, Falcone, and Wells 1994). However, crime rates may vary across rural areas. Rural areas with unique social or geographic characteristics may exhibit crime rates different from rural areas not possessing those characteristics. The present study builds upon research by Jarrel and Howsen (1990)that indicated interstate highway traffic in an area affects crime rates in that area. This thinking is applied to rural crime. Crime rates in rural areas are compared across levels of interstate highway presence. Findings indicate traffic along interstate highways may in fact have a noticeable influence on the occurrence of some types of crime, especially motor vehicle theft, robbery, and homicide.