Publication Type: Conference Paper/Unpublished Manuscript
Abstract: The near repeat phenomenon is an extension of repeat victimization and is a recent innovation within environmental criminology. Knowledge of the existence of the phenomenon has grown from advanced crime mapping studies addressing burglary, research that recognized that while properties that have been burgled are vulnerable to repeat attacks again within a certain time of the original event, this increased risk is actually contagious and can spread to nearby homes. In other words, in the wake of a crime event, properties nearby also have an increased risk of burglary for some weeks after the event. Recent research has discovered the near repeat phenomenon present in data on shootings in Philadelphia and IED attacks in Baghdad. This information has significant crime prevention value at many levels of policing and security, although calculating the spatial dimensions of this risk, as well as the temporal period for which the extended risk exists, has only recently been possible. This presentation describes software developed to enable researchers and practitioners to estimate the near repeat phenomenon in their own data, and the session uses the Philadelphia shootings as an example. Information on where to download this free software will be available in the presentation.

Publication Type: Conference Paper/Unpublished Manuscript
Review Method: Peer Reviewed
Abstract: The potential of meetup.com, a new Internet-based tool for political campaigning, has been demonstrated in the 2004 presidential campaign. Adopted by all leading presidential candidates, this technology facilitates people with similar interests finding each other online, so that they can get together or “meet up” offline, bringing about a new type of hybrid people and technology-based phenomenon, which we classify as an e2f (electronic to face) community. We surveyed attendees of all presidential candidates' Meetups between January 22 and March 10, 2004, with a final sample of 820 valid responses, to assess the campaign effectiveness of Meetup and differences between Meetup attendees and traditional political activists. Findings indicate that Meetup participants donate more, volunteer more, express stronger support for the candidate, and are more likely to advocate that others work for the candidate with each Meetup attended. They are also more involved in other forms of political activity. Demographically, those who have attended many Meetups are older, and more strongly identify as Democrats than those attending their first one. Those whose involvement began through Meetup differ from those who were already involved in the campaign before attending Meetups. They are younger, less active politically, and have weaker Democratic party affiliation. On the other hand, they have a stronger positive reaction to the Meetup experience. This lends support to the Dean campaign claim that it brought new people into political process and energized them.

Publication Type: Proceeding

Publication Type: Conference Paper/Unpublished Manuscript
Abstract: Over the last thirty years, African Americans have exhibited a seven times greater chance of homicide victimization than whites. In fact, homicide is the leading cause of death among African Americans ages fifteen to thirty-four. Mass media has given increased attention to this relatively recent phenomenon of African American “genocide”. Historically, whites were the primary perpetrators of homicide against African Americans, yet there was limited to no concern or any redress regarding these incidents. In recent decades, various forms of media have raised the societal awareness of African American “genocide”, albeit the attention has been negligible. One theme that has failed to garner in-depth coverage by media outlets is the adoption of Rest In Peace (R.I.P.) T-shirt as visual memorials in relation to African American “genocide”. R.I.P. T-shirts often include images of the victim, his or her lifespan, neighborhood affiliations (if any), nicknames, and proverbs. This project aims to explore the R.I.P. T-shirt phenomenon in greater depth by addressing the following issues: cultural origins, community perceptions and media perspectives.

Publication Type: Conference Paper/Unpublished Manuscript
Review Method: Peer Reviewed
Abstract: . This thesis will explore how American society defines Attention Deficit Disorder as an illness and how changing definitions of childhood and child behavior along with the availability of diagnostic tools on the Internet reinforce both the medicalization of behavior and the pharmaceutical treatment to “normalize” behavior. The author will use interviewing of parents and teachers and a content analysis of information on the Internet to explore these topics.