Speaker
Description
Firearm-related violence remains a pressing public health concern in the United States, with fatalities exceeding 350,000 over the past decade. The city of Baltimore has witnessed a sustained increase in firearm-related violence, emphasizing the urgency of addressing this issue. Understanding the systemic factors associated with firearm violence is crucial for effective intervention. This study employs spatial analysis techniques to investigate the association between vacant homes and firearm-related crime in Baltimore City. Leveraging comprehensive datasets on property vacancies, crime incidents, and neighborhood characteristics, advanced spatial methods are utilized to explore the relationships between these variables. The study incorporates factors such as the Social Vulnerability Index, proximity to the harbor, green spaces, and road density to uncover the complex interplay influencing firearm violence. Results reveal significant spatial clusters of firearm-related incidents, with associations observed between vacant properties and firearm crime incidence. Findings underscore the importance of addressing neighborhood-level factors in firearm violence prevention efforts and inform targeted interventions, policy formulation, and community development strategies. This research contributes to a deeper understanding of the spatial dynamics underlying firearm violence and blight, with implications for promoting community well-being and safety.
