Cell towers and the ambient population: A spatial analysis of disaggregated property crime in Vancouver, BC

The current study employs a new measure of the ambient population, constructed using cell tower location data from OpenCellID, to compare residential and ambient population-based crime rates in Vancouver, BC. Five disaggregated property crime types are examined at the dissemination area level. Findings demonstrate striking differences in the spatial patterns of crime rates constructed using these two different measures of the population at risk. Multivariate results from spatial error models also highlight the substantial impact that the use of a theoretically-informed crime rate denominator can have on Pseudo R2 values, variable retention, and trends in significant relationships. Implications for theory testing and policy are discussed.