^aDepartment of Geography, Texas State University – San Marcos, San Marcos, TX 78666, U.S.A. E-mail: yongmeilu@txstate.edu

Abstract

A series of exploratory analyses of auto thefts in the city of Buffalo are reported and discussed in this paper. With the aid of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Exploratory Spatial Data Analysis (ESDA), the spatial clustering of auto thefts in Buffalo is evaluated, the distribution of auto thefts along the streets is examined, and the spatial choice of auto thefts as related to the patterns of socioeconomic activities in the study area is investigated. In addition to the patterns of auto theft hot spots, this study also examines the impact that the distribution of the available vehicles has on auto theft locations. Analyses reveal that locations along the major roads and the roads directly connected to the major roads are at high risk of being targeted by auto thieves. Furthermore, it is concluded that certain types of urban socioeconomic activities are more attractive to the potential auto thieves than others.