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Violence and Aggression in Sporting Contests pp 175–187Cite as

Sport Events and Criminal Activity: A Spatial Analysis

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Part of the book series: Sports Economics, Management and Policy ((SEMP,volume 4))

Abstract

This chapter investigates spatial crime patterns associated with events taking place in two downtown venues in Charlotte, NC: an open-air football stadium and an enclosed multipurpose arena. The evidence suggests neither venue’s events contribute to an overall increase in reported total, property, or violent crimes in the city. However, both venues experience an increase in crimes within one-half mile from the venue on event days relative to nonevent days. For the arena, violent crimes increase up to a mile away while property crimes decrease for up to 2 miles away on event days compared to nonevent days. For the stadium, violent crimes decrease up to 2 miles away while property crimes increase up to 1 mile away on event days compared to nonevent days. Combined, the evidence suggests that events in these two arenas shift the pattern of reported crime, but in different ways. The results help inform public safety concerns during events and contribute to the debate over public subsidies for venues.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Charlotte, NC, USA

    Stephen B. Billings & Craig A. Depken II

Authors
  1. Stephen B. Billings
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  2. Craig A. Depken II
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Craig A. Depken II .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Dept. Economics, University of North Texas, Union Circle 1155, Denton, 76203-5017, Texas, USA

    R. Todd Jewell

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Billings, S.B., Depken, C.A. (2011). Sport Events and Criminal Activity: A Spatial Analysis. In: Jewell, R. (eds) Violence and Aggression in Sporting Contests. Sports Economics, Management and Policy, vol 4. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-6630-8_11

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