1Peter Elias, 2Franca Attoh, 1Abiodun Ajijola, & 2Samuel Adejoh
1Department of Geography, University of Lagos, Akoka, Yaba, Nigeria
2Department of Social Work, University of Lagos, Akoka, Yaba, Nigeria
Correspondence: abbeyajijola@gmail.com
Abstract
Crimes are pervasive with potentials to disrupt community’s socio-economic activities and academics learning. The College of Medicine University of Lagos (CMUL) Idi-Araba campus neighborhood is predominantly slum both in physical and social characteristics thus vulnerable to criminal activities. Mapping the distribution of human activities and other geographic features that are potential crime’s locations (PCLs) around the university environment have not been given extensive attention. This study uses Geographic Information Science (GIS) to identify PCLs within and around the CMUL neighborhood. Intensive field campaign through Global Positioning System (GPS) deployment was carried out and collected data were processed and analyzed using buffer tool in ArcMap 10.8 GIS environment.
Classification and ranking of human activities and other spatial features as PCLs were based on neighborhood characteristics influencing crime while the proximity of law enforcement agency was carried out at 500, 1000 and 1,500 meters’ buffers to the CMUL. Results show that five of the nine very high PCLs including motor parks and bus stops are within the 500m to the CMUL while fifteen (15) of the forty-two (42) high PCLs such as beer sale shops, banks, and motels are within 500m buffer. Only one of three police stations within study area is a divisional headquarters while the other two are police posts. The current situation may embolden determined criminals to perpetrate activities at the detriment of academic learning. It is recommended that surveillance be mounted at the high PCLs and regular patrol of security agents within the study area should be put in place.
Keywords: Potential Crime Locations (PCLs), Proximity Analysis (GIS), Neighborhood characteristics, CMUL