Incivilities, Crime, and Latino Immigrant Concentration

Abstract

ABSTRACT Research studying citizen perceptions of safety continues to expand its methodological and analytical scope. Informed by the incivilities thesis and Latino paradox/revitalization perspective, the current study adds to this expansion. Using three data sources (community surveys, census data, and police crime records), hierarchical logistic regression models were estimated to examine the influence of incivilities, violent crime rate, and immigrant concentration on citizens' perceived safety in a major southwestern city. At the citizen-level, results showed that perceived incivility was positively and significantly related to perceived safety; whereas, quality of life rating was negatively and significantly related to the outcome. At the council district-level, incivilities were positively and significantly related to perceived safety. Furthermore, citizens residing in council districts characterized by immigrant concentration reported significantly higher perceived safety concerns. Implications from these findings suggest that future research should consider local community immigration features as a way of expanding beyond traditional incivilities and crime measures.