Search

Objective: This study evaluates the effectiveness of a smoke- and tobacco-free campus policy by examining the volume, density, and location of discarded cigarette butts before and after the implementation of the policy. Participants: Student, staff, and faculty volunteers collected and recorded the location of discarded cigarette butts in April 2017 and October 2018. Methods: The Smoke and Tobacco Free Environment policy was effective September 1, 2017. A campus-wide collection of cigarette butts was conducted 5 months before, and 13 months after it came into effect. Results: The number of cigarette butts on campus decreased after policy implementation, especially in areas with formal enforcement. There was evidence of displacement of smoking behavior from the campus center to its periphery where parking lots and staff buildings are located. Conclusions: Formal enforcement is key to increasing the efficacy of the policy. Interventions should be directed to the locations where smoking behavior is concentrated.

In the digital age, where every click, purchase, or activity is systematically recorded, it is surprising to discover how difficult it still is to assemble crime data. This paper describes available web-based crime mapping services and discusses some of the key advantages and disadvantages of using this source for both general purposes and scholarly endeavors. Using a research project on crime occurring around train stations as a case study, we illustrate the pitfalls of relying on web-based services compared to requesting crime information directly from law enforcement agencies. We conclude with a few cautionary remarks regarding the use of data services that purport to offer an assemblage of crime data drawn from different jurisdictions.

Co-production is the involvement of citizens in the production of public services. In education, this involves students working with instructors to jointly produce the knowledge that stems from the education process. This paper describes our approach to co-production of knowledge through a semester's undergraduate courses on research methods in criminology/criminal justice. Our co-production efforts involved: (a) Instructors provided initial instruction on research methods, as well as a description of their research project, which was used to illustrate several course topics during lectures; (b) Students practiced their developing expertise and experiences to produce their own research proposals; and (c) Students contributed to their instructors' research project through their feedback on research design. We present reflections on how co-production practice inspired teaching and learning of research methods, classroom environment, and the development of our research project. Findings suggest that co-production can be an effective tool for improved learning in research methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The relationship between urban tourism and crime has been well documented, although a focus on the specifics of tourist victimization is lacking. This study explores police-recorded thefts against urban tourists in the city of Barcelona (Spain). We apply Conjunctive Analysis of Case Configurations to a large data sample to uncover victimization case profiles and the context in which crimes are committed. Comparisons to resident victimization reveal that the case profiles most likely to result in a tourist being the victim of theft have predominantly female, young targets, and occur mostly at restaurants/bars and during the Summer. Future research should examine victimization trends while accounting for time spent in different settings, and compare self-protective behaviors taken by tourists and residents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing is a serious environmental crime with severe economic, social, and security implications. Efforts to monitor IUU fishing could be enhanced by using patterns of at-sea transshipment of fish to detect illicit subgroups. Methods: Using data from Global Fishing Watch, this study investigates repeat transshipment events among vessels observed to operate in the U.N. FAO Area 81 during 2015-2021. Ship-to-ship transfer networks mapping potential encounters among 30 refrigerated cargo vessels (carriers) and 613 fishing vessels exhibit distinct communities that extend beyond this region. Results: Highly central, carriers associated with open registries (flags of convenience) and exhibiting high operational deficiencies form networks that shadow the activities of national fleets. Discussion: Observed between group linkages among vessels draw attention to these parallel trade currents embedding regional activity into the larger fishing industry, providing a focus for monitoring and conservation efforts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The present study extends research on campus smoking bans by examining where smokers are violating the policy at a large university in the southeastern region of the United States. Participants: The data collection was conducted by one graduate student from the university in August of 2014. Methods: A global positioning system device was used to collect the geo-coordinates of littered cigarette butts as a proxy measure for smoking violations. Results: A hot spot analysis found a number of spatial concentrations on campus, largely around classroom and administrative buildings along with parking lots and garages. Conclusions: The implications of such findings can direct enforcement to target these areas in order to reduce offenses and fulfill the initial goals of policy-makers and university administrators who support smoke-free campuses.

Coast redwoods are the tallest living tree species and one of the longest-living organisms on Earth, with lifespans that can extend 2,500 years. Burl poaching from a living tree leaves a wound, making it susceptible to insects, disease, and even death. A spate of burl poaching incidents have riddled the Redwood National and State Parks (Northern California) in recent years. This paper uses the concept of choice structuring properties to understand in depth how offenders commit these crimes, and what factors influence their decision-making process at the micro-level. Results show that offenders target burls low to the ground and in areas close to roads, illicit markets, and in areas with higher elevation relative to roads. A number of initiatives directed to prevent this crime are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Air travel is one of the few situations in which individuals are encouraged to refrain from securing their valuables to facilitate screening, thereby providing an opportunity to some airport employees to use the privileged access offered by their jobs to steal from passengers' luggage. The goal of this research is to analyze whether some US airports experience more theft by employees from passengers' luggage than others, and to understand why, using the risky facilities framework (Eck et al. in Imagination for Crime Prevention. Crime Prevention Studies, Criminal Justice Press, Monsey, 2007). Data on passengers' claims to the Transportation Security Administration in 2009 were used. Results show that, contrary to what is usually depicted in the media, smaller airports experience higher theft rates than larger airports, and could therefore constitute vulnerable points of entry into the aviation industry. Practical implications of this research are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]