Crime seasonality and the micro-spatial patterns of property crime in Vancouver, BC and Ottawa, ON

• Seasonal property crime patterns are examined in cities with different climates
• Distinct temporal peaks are present in humid continental but not temperate climates
• Micro-spatial patterns of property crime remain stable throughout the year

PurposeEarly criminological research has found that the frequency of crime is not consistent throughout the year and that crime often peaks in the summer months. What has gone largely understudied, however, is how the respective spatial patterns are impacted over time. This study investigates whether seasonal variation exists temporally across different property crime types and whether these same offences possess micro-spatial patterns that vary substantially over the calendar year.MethodsA series of Andresen’s (2009) spatial point pattern tests were employed using police report data to examine the seasonal spatial patterns of crime in two Canadian cities with differing climates, namely Vancouver, BC and Ottawa, ON.ResultsOverall, results suggest that: (a) property crimes exhibit distinct temporal peaks in humid continental climates (i.e. Ottawa) and not in temperate ones (i.e. Vancouver); and (b) regardless of climate, micro-spatial patterns of property crime remain relatively constant throughout the year.ConclusionsThe findings indicate that both the temporal and spatial components of crime seasonality should be considered whenever possible in order to better understand when and where to implement crime prevention programs.