ENVIRONMENTAL CHARACTERISTICS ASSOCIATED WITH RESIDENTIAL BURGLARIES OF STUDENT APARTMENT COMPLEXES

This study identified environmental characteristics associated with re sidential burglaries of apartment complexes predominantly occupied by students, located near two major universities and a community college in Tallahassee, Florida. Through observation and measurement of enviro nmental characteristics, results showed that accessibility played litt le role in differentiating burglarized and nonburglarized apartment un its. Yet, burglarized units were disproportionately likely to be locat ed on the corner of the building and on the first floor. Results also showed that apartment units with reported burglaries in 1993 were less surveillable than apartment units with no reported burglaries-i.e., b urglarized units were more obstructed by foliage or structure. Finally , through surveying student apartment residents, results suggested tha t burglaries largely occurred at times when students reported being aw ay from their apartments for purposes of attending classes, engaging i n recreational activities, or shopping. The results add additional sup port for the well-established link between environmental characteristi cs and residential burglary.