TY - JOUR
T1 - Bus Robberies in Belo Horizonte, Brazil
T2 - Solutions for Safe Travel
AU - Oliveira, Elenice
AU - Natarajan, Mangai
AU - da Silva, Bráulio
N1 - Funding Information:
The author(s) disclosed receipt of the following financial support for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article: This study was partially supported by a summer grant provided by the College of Humanities and Social Sciences, Montclair State University. Our sincere thanks are due to many people and organizations without whom the study would not have been possible in Belo Horizonte including local bus drivers and conductors, bus union representatives, students at the Center of Studies on Crime and Public Security, the Federal University, the commander of the Military Police, State of Minas Gerais, the commander of the Municipal Police, Belo Horizonte. Special thanks to Col. Daniel Garcia for facilitating this research and Pietra Raissa Silva and Lucas Caetano Pereira de Oliveira for their assistance in undertaking the focus group discussions and the field observation.
Funding Information:
The author(s) disclosed receipt of the following financial support for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article: This study was partially supported by a summer grant provided by the College of Humanities and Social Sciences, Montclair State University. Our sincere thanks are due to many people and organizations without whom the study would not have been possible in Belo Horizonte including local bus drivers and conductors, bus union representatives, students at the Center of Studies on Crime and Public Security, the Federal University, the commander of the Military Police, State of Minas Gerais, the commander of the Municipal Police, Belo Horizonte. Special thanks to Col. Daniel Garcia for facilitating this research and Pietra Raissa Silva and Lucas Caetano Pereira de Oliveira for their assistance in undertaking the focus group discussions and the field observation.
Publisher Copyright:
© The Author(s) 2019.
PY - 2023/10
Y1 - 2023/10
N2 - This study examines the spatial patterns and other situational determinants leading to the high number of bus robberies in Belo Horizonte. Main research questions include patterns of robberies, spatial concentration, locations prone to robberies, and environmental characteristics therein. This study also provides a variety of safety measures based on the Situational Crime Prevention approach. The Rapid Assessment Methodology (RAM) was employed using both quantitative and qualitative data. It involves spatial analysis, direct observation of hot spots using a safety audit protocol, and focus group discussions with key participants. Bus robberies involve minimum risk and low detection and arrest. The “hottest products” to be stolen include electronic devices and cash. The robberies occur at specific times and locations depending on opportunity. As many crimes go unreported, police data have inaccuracies. Therefore, it is impossible to verify the exact location of the robberies. This study concludes that for safe travel preventive measure should focus on reducing crime opportunities. A collaborative effort is needed from agencies and individuals alike. Further research should focus on examining why the majority of bus robberies are concentrated in only two main bus routes.
AB - This study examines the spatial patterns and other situational determinants leading to the high number of bus robberies in Belo Horizonte. Main research questions include patterns of robberies, spatial concentration, locations prone to robberies, and environmental characteristics therein. This study also provides a variety of safety measures based on the Situational Crime Prevention approach. The Rapid Assessment Methodology (RAM) was employed using both quantitative and qualitative data. It involves spatial analysis, direct observation of hot spots using a safety audit protocol, and focus group discussions with key participants. Bus robberies involve minimum risk and low detection and arrest. The “hottest products” to be stolen include electronic devices and cash. The robberies occur at specific times and locations depending on opportunity. As many crimes go unreported, police data have inaccuracies. Therefore, it is impossible to verify the exact location of the robberies. This study concludes that for safe travel preventive measure should focus on reducing crime opportunities. A collaborative effort is needed from agencies and individuals alike. Further research should focus on examining why the majority of bus robberies are concentrated in only two main bus routes.
KW - Situational Crime Prevention
KW - bus robberies
KW - opportunity and crime
KW - public transport crime in Brazil
KW - safety in public transportation
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85073942188&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1177/0011128719871547
DO - 10.1177/0011128719871547
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:85073942188
SN - 0011-1287
VL - 69
SP - 2359
EP - 2383
JO - Crime and Delinquency
JF - Crime and Delinquency
IS - 11
ER -
