The city of Colorado Springs is located in south-central Colorado. It sits at the base of Pikes Peak. The elevation is over 6,000 feet above sea level. It is home to several military bases, including Fort Carson, Peterson Air Force Base, Schriever Air Force Base, NORAD, and the United States Air Force Academy.
As of the 2010 census, the population of Colorado Springs was 416, 427. The white (non-Hispanic) population comprised 78.8 %, Hispanics, 16.1%, and blacks 6.3%. Those of two or more races made up 5.1 %.
The number of people aged twenty-five years or older who had graduated from high school was 93%, and those over the age of twenty-five that held a bachelors’ degree or higher was 36.3 %.
The median household income in the city was $53,962, compared to $58, 433 for Colorado. Per capita income for Colorado Springs was $28, 155 compared to $31,109 statewide. The average value of an owner occupied home in Colorado Springs was $209, 100.
The number living at or below poverty level was 13.7% compared to 13.2% for the rest of Colorado.
According to the Colorado Department of Local Affairs, the largest employer of civilians in Colorado Springs is the military, with Fort Carson being at the top of the list.
In June, 2015, the unemployment rate in Colorado Springs was 5.5% (Bureau of Labor Statistics)
Identity of social factors that contribute to crime
Since strain is one theory which identifies possible links to criminal activity, one must pay attention to level of poverty in the city. According to an article by Elizabeth Kneebone (2014), poverty tracts in Colorado Springs have increased between 2000 and 2008-2012. In 2000, for instance, no poverty tracts were identified. In the 2010 census several tracts were labeled as those with populations at or below poverty level. The article explains that the number of poor in Colorado Springs in 2000 was 40,916. That number rose to 76,720 in the years between 2008 and 2012, an increase of 87.5%.
Zones of transition
When considering criminology, zones of transition do not seem to be as apparent in Colorado Springs as in other, larger cities. Looking more closely, however, one might consider the transient population of the military.
Neighborhoods in close proximity to the military facilities have a higher concentration of active duty personnel. As their duty assignments change, or as they are deployed, they move away from these neighborhoods. Other active duty personnel, now assigned to the installation, move into the same neighborhoods.
This results in a decrease of owner occupied homes in the area. The crime rate overall does not change significantly in these areas.
Hot Spots for crime in Colorado Springs
Crime in Colorado Springs, as in any other city, is an everyday occurrence. In 2014 the Colorado Bureau of Investigation recorded 20,415 offenses, and 16.509 arrests in Colorado Springs. Of those arrests, 1,744 were juveniles.
Considering the purpose and length of this paper, the focus on “hot spots” of crime in Colorado Springs will be limited to two areas. They are the southeast Colorado Springs area and downtown (central city).
In the southeast area of Colorado Springs, the Colorado Springs Police Department received thousands of calls between January and December of 2015. A major number of these calls were confined to one street alone. This is according to reports provided by the Colorado Springs Police Department to the Pikes Peak Library District.
While it is not the intention to single out a particular school district, one can gain insight as to the possible relationship of the economics and crime rate within that district. The area in question lies within Harrison School District 2. If considering the strain theory and the existent poverty levels, there may indeed be a correlation.
As of the 2010 census the population of those in occupied housing units in the Harrison School District was 67,093. The per capita income was $19,106 compared to the $28,155 city-wide, and those living at or below the poverty level was 23.4% (National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education). When considering the data cited by Kneebone, it would not seem that economic conditions have improved since the 2010 census.
The central downtown vicinity was another zone of frequent criminal activity in 2015. (Pikes Peak Library District). Much of the activity was centered along one street (North Tejon Street), and surrounding Acacia Park. The park is in central downtown, and occupies an entire city block. It is bordered on the west by North Tejon Street. Although relatively small in area, the police responded to thousands of calls there, as well. While most were disturbance or disorder calls, there were 80 calls regarding violent crime (harassment, shooting, stabbing, or kidnapping).
Central downtown Colorado Springs is much smaller than other urban areas one might think of. It is roughly only forty square blocks. It is however, quite close to agencies that aid the needy and homeless population.
While it is difficult to single out these particular persons, they may be a contributing factor regarding the disturbance and disorder calls. Another factor is that North Tejon Street is home to several bars and nightclubs, which may have an impact on the number of police responses.
Consideration of changes
The population of Colorado Springs increased from 283,308 in 1990 to over 400,000 in 2010. This is roughly a 68% increase. It stands to reason that given such an increase in population, there must be areas in which expansion was necessary.
Instead of growing vertically, the city grew horizontally. Colorado Springs grew north and east of the city center in order to accommodate the rising population. There was available land, in which to grow. Consequently, more retail establishments, medical facilities, and other service providers were needed in these areas to meet the demands of the growing number of citizens.
It is approximately ten plus miles from the city center (downtown) to the east-northeastern parts of Colorado Springs. Perhaps due to the rapid growth, public transportation has seemingly not been able to keep up. The city bus system does not serve these more outlying vicinities. However, that may be due to the fact that residents in Colorado Springs are not as dependent on public transportation as are those in other cities of comparable size.
In spite of the growth rate of these areas, the crime rates are relatively low compared to that of the two “hot spots” discussed above.
When comparing demographics within the city, another school district warrants consideration. Academy School District 20 is located in the northeast area of the city, a region which has experienced major growth in the last twenty years. As of 2013, the per capita income in that district is was $37,270, significantly higher than that of Harrison School District, at a little over $19,000.
Additionally, the concentration of population per square mile is much lower than that of Harrison School District, or even the downtown area. Academy School District is 130 square miles with a population of nearly 100,000. Harrison School District, on the other hand, is only 19 square miles with a population of close to 70,000.This results in a difference of 0.13 people/square mile (Academy) compared with 2.17 people/square mile (Harrison).
While these figures could probably be included in general demographics, they reflect the changes that have occurred in Colorado Springs in the last several years.
The sociologic theory
In a city such as Colorado Springs, it is difficult to define one specific sociologic theory as to the incidence of crime or to “pin-point” a particular criminology theory.
Considering the demographics of the city, it seems that the theories of strain and routine activity could both be contemplated.
When assessing the southeast area of Colorado Springs, the strain theory may apply. It is an area of low income, low owner occupancy, relatively high poverty rates, and to a certain extent, some transition issues. It also reflects a higher population density.
The downtown area, on the other hand has a relatively stable population and retail environment. That would support a routine activity theory. In spite of the statistics obtained from the Pikes Peak Library District, which suggests that there is pro-active policing, the incident reports are at a high ratio compared to the pro-active policing activity (21% pro-active policing compared to 79% of all other police activity in the area). This could indicate that there is relatively low “guardianship,” which would lend itself to the routine activity theory.
Conclusions
Colorado Springs is a changing, challenging city. While it is a flourishing and vibrant community, it continues to have some “growing pains.” There are many retired military in Colorado Springs who have ultimately chosen to make the city their home. To others, it is a community offering new opportunities and rewards. As the demographics of a community change, so do the attitudes and beliefs of the people in that community. While some may see the increase in poverty levels, and so perhaps the homeless population, as a contributor to the crime rate, others may see the legalization of marijuana in Colorado as a problem.
It is difficult to consider one single criminological theory when dealing with a community such as Colorado Springs. The theories overlap, and in many ways are integrated. Socioeconomic and cultural influences all play a part in the role of criminal activity in the community.
References
Google Maps (2016). Colorado Springs, Colorado. Retrieved from https://www.google.com/mymaps/viewer?midhl=en_US
Kneebone, E. (31 July, 2014). The growth and spread of concentrated poverty, 2000 to 2008-2012 [Supplemental material]. Brookings. Retrieved from http://www.brookings.edu/research/interactives/2014/concentrated-poverty#/M10420
Pikes Peak Library District (2016). My neighborhood updates. (Data File). Retrieved from ppld.org/research/by-subject/websites/366 (my neighborhood update)
Region 4 - Colorado Department of Local Affairs (2015). Retrieved from
https://dola.colorado.gov/dlg/demog/profiles//region4.pdf
United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (2015).Mountains-Plains Information Office. Labor Force Data. (Data File). Retrieved from www.bls.gov/
United States Census Bureau (2010). State and County Quick Facts (Data file). Retrieved from quickfacts.census.gov/qfd
United States Department of Education (2010). National Center for Education Statistics (Data file). Retrieved from www.ed.gov
United States Department of Justice (2014). Federal Bureau of Investigation. Uniform Code Reporting (Data file). Retrieved from www.ucrdatatool.gov/Search/Crime/State/StatebyState.cfm
