Overlapping Hot Spots?

Research Summary In this study, the extent to which hot spots of different crime types overlapped spatially in Philadelphia, PA, were examined. Multiple techniques were used to identify crime hot spots for 11 different crime types. Univariate and bivariate statistics also were used to quantify the extent to which hot spots across the 11 crime types overlapped spatially. Hot spots of different crime types were not found to overlap much. Policy Implications The results raise concerns regarding the resource efficiency of hot‐spots policing for addressing all crime types. Police commanders will need to consider how the extent to which hot spots overlap in their jurisdiction should be incorporated into their strategic plans to meet their organizational goals. Furthermore, if police departments plan to use hot‐spots policing to address all crime types, then many local criminal justice systems would need an infusion of resources.