This new study explores the relationship between hate crimes and changes in neighborhood demographics and characteristics on Staten Island, New York. The study examines the relationship between hate crimes, noise complaints, and rezonings by analyzing data from various sources, including the New York City Police Department’s hate crimes database, the city’s 311 complaint system, and the Department of City Planning’s zoning map. The study also uses LISA maps to determine if hate crime clusters and concentrations have developed over time or are a constant feature of particular election districts.
The results show that areas with high levels of noise complaints and commercial rezonings have a higher incidence of hate crimes. The study found that 74.14% of hate crimes occurred within a feature containing a commercial rezoning. The study also found that noise complaints are strongly associated with hate crimes, with 75.57% to 81.90% of hate crimes accounted for in geographical units where noise complaints were above the median.
LISA maps demonstrate that the location of high hate crime clusters remains relatively constant over time, with the northern part of Staten Island having the highest concentration of hate crimes. The study also found that areas with above-median new or altered buildings and an above-median number of noise complaints are more likely to have high concentrations of hate crimes.
The study suggests that changes in neighborhood demographics may contribute to the incidence of hate crimes. The study notes that the demographic makeup of Staten Island changes during the work/school week, with approximately 50% of residents leaving the borough for work and being replaced by a combination of students and workers who may not identify as the same race/ethnicity as the majority of Staten Island residents. This change in demographic makeup during the work/school week could potentially create a symbolic threat, given the amount of time these non-residents spend on Staten Island in particular areas.
The study concludes that noise complaints and rezonings are indicators of geographical boundaries (neighborhoods) with an above-median level of hate crime. The study suggests that these variables can be integrated with hate crime and neighborhood crime variables to identify areas where hate crimes are likely to occur. The study recommends that policymakers and law enforcement agencies use these findings to focus resources on areas with above-median noise complaints and commercial rezonings to prevent hate crimes.