Mapping Mobility of Individuals Arrested for Misdemeanors in New York City, 2006-2014

This report examines longitudinal trends in the mobility of individuals arrested for a misdemeanor in New York City between 2006 and 2014. DCJ analyzed assessed how frequently individuals were arrested for a misdemeanor in their precinct of residence (i.e. where an individual lives) versus another precinct in New York City. This study examined variation in mobility at the borough and precinct level. DCJ also examined whether demographics and charges varied by mobility (i.e., being arrested outside the precinct of residence for a misdemeanor). Lastly, DCJ conducted five in-depth case studies (one precinct for each borough) to illustrate the concept of mobility at the precinct level.

Key Findings:

  • In 2014, almost half of all individuals arrested for a misdemeanor were arrested outside of their home precinct.
  • 44.6% of all individuals arrested for a misdemeanor in Manhattan did not live in that borough. For other boroughs, individuals arrested there were much more likely to live in that borough: 80.8% in the Bronx, 83.0% in Brooklyn, 73.3% in Queens, and 87.0% in Staten Island.
  • Among home precinct arrests, the most frequent charges were crimes against a person (24.5%) and offenses related to marijuana (16.8%).
  • Among arrests that occurred outside the home precinct, the most frequent charges were property and theft-related (17.7%) and vehicle and driving-related (17.2%).