Not all Convenience Stores are Equal” An Analysis of the Criminogenic Role of Convenience Stores in Newark, New Jersey

Corner stores in Newark, NJ are privately-owned stores often referred to bodegas. This study sought to identify the relationships associated with corner convenience stores as compared with other businesses.   To accomplish this, a ‘more tailored analysis’ was conducted of environmental factors affecting crime in corner stores as compared with other businesses.

Previous research studies found factors that explained crime in convenient stores included cash-heavy transactions, extended operating hours, surrounding neighborhoods, rapid customer turnover, lack of guardianship, low levels of surveillance, low-income neighborhoods, poverty, and less access to larger supermarkets. 

To evaluate the crime near corner stores, researchers collected 2022 crime data on three categories: gun violence, armed robberies, assaults without firearms.

Second, the City of Newark was divided into 11,467 – 200-foot squares. The crime data was included with each of the squares. As part of this, incidents were separated into two groups daytime (7 a.m. – 6 p.m.) and (7 p.m. – 6:00 a.m.). Measurements were also conducted of other convenience stores, pharmacies, gas stations, liquor stores, barber shops, restaurants, retail stores, public housing and vacant lots located within 200 feet from corner stores.

Next, levels of economic hardship variables were included to measure unemployment rates, poverty rates, percentage of single mother households, and cost of living. Other data identified neighborhood racial heterogeneity scores and an accessibility score for fresh food.

Researchers found corner stores were significantly linked to three broad categories of crime: systemic, opportunistic, and occasional.

• Crime was more likely to occur within 200 feet of corner stores than businesses located 200 to 800 feet from corner stores. Forty-seven of 114 (42.5%) of corner stores are located within 200 feet of at least one of the1% of cells with the highest levels of crime. Only three stores were associated with high risk of each type of crime. 32 to 68 percent of stores were linked one specific crime, especially gun violence.
• Aggravated assaults were concentrated near areas with alcohol consumption, drug usage, informal social gatherings, concentration of economic disadvantaged area and racial heterogeneity.
• Robberies clustered around corner stores and other cash-intensive businesses (i.e gas stations, restaurants, retail stores, and barber shops).
• Corner stores located close to vacant lots and public housing are more likely to close to incidents of gun violence.
• Corner stores are also associated with elevated crime rates in both day and nighttime hours.
• Robberies were more likely to occur around branded stores as compared with corner stores.

In conclusion, the authors suggested corner stores located in high-risk areas should evaluate their business practices as well as embedding with the wider social and physical context.  Community level approaches are needed to address drug markets and other areas. To accomplish this will require law enforcement to engage with store managers, community organizations, and residents.