The incidence of crime in municipalities with land communication networks and social backwardness in Chiapas

Abstract

The objective of the article is to investigate the spatial relationship between socio-economic characteristics, demographics, terrestrial communication networks, and crime in the municipalities of Chiapas. The methodology includes a multiple spatial regression model estimated with maximum likelihood. We obtained the information from the Executive Secretariat of the National Public Security System (SESNSP, 2019) and the 2015 Intercensal Survey (INEGI, 2015) at the municipal level. The results confirm that the municipalities connected by road and rail networks have higher unemployment rates and extreme poverty. They also present higher crimes rates such as robbery to passers-by and homicides. The results can be used as a public policy instrument to target crime prevention and containment programs.