Factors associated with perception of insecurity: the case of Chilpancingo, Guerrero

Abstract

This paper analyzes the cumulative perception of insecurity, defined as the locations where people feel insecure due to crime, in the areas assisted by the National Crime Prevention Program (PRONAPRED) in the municipality of Chilpancingo, Guerrero, in Mexico. The factors associated with the perception of insecurity are examined, based on their explanatory theories, related to victimization, physical vulnerability, incivilities and social networks. Through a survey applied in 132 homes of the areas under study, data are obtained to perform bivariate (Mann-Whitney test and Spearman rank correlation coefficient) and multivariate (multiple linear regression) statistical contrasts between the perception of insecurity and the factors suggested in the literature. The findings show that the perception of insecurity is related with the presence of antisocial and criminal behavior, and with confidence in security and justice institutions; there is also a greater perception of insecurity among indigenous people.

Keywords

• citizen security
• delinquency
• violence
• fear of crime
• statistical analysis