1. ^aSchool of Criminology, Simon Fraser University, 8888 University Drive, Burnaby, BC, Canada V5A 1S6. E-mail: andresen@sfu.ca
2. ^bInstitute for Canadian Urban Research Studies, Simon Fraser University, 8888 University Drive, Burnaby, BC, Canada V5A 1S6.
3. ^cDepartment of Criminology, Kwantlen University College, 12666 72nd Avenue, Surrey, BC, Canada V3W 2M8. E-mail: Greg.Jenion@kwantlen.ca

Abstract

In the past, crime rate calculations have favored one denominator for spatially referenced crime rates, the residential population. Dominantly, this practice is the result of cost and time constraints on research. This paper uses freely available spatially referenced population data, the LandScan Global Population Database, which provides an alternative measure of the population at risk in crime rate calculations, the ambient population. Calculated crime rates using the residential and ambient populations exhibit a weak statistical relationship. This provides a strong positive implication for the use of these data such that their utilization may give a more precise depiction of victimization, particularly when considering violent crime. Consequently, it is argued that ambient-based (violent) crime rates should be used to supplement the conventional residential-based (violent) crime rates.