Citation

Shihadeh ES, Barranco RE. Sociol. Spectr. 2010; 30(3): 249.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2010, Mid-South Sociological Association, Publisher Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/02732171003635422

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Early Chicago school thinkers linked crime to the disorganizing influx of Eastern European immigrants and black migrants from the South. Extending this to contemporary concerns, we use Census and Vital Statistics data to examine whether migration to ethnic enclaves among Latinos and blacks raises violence. It appears that when Latinos settle in their ethnic enclaves, violence in their communities declines. Contrary to Chicago school assertions, this improves economic conditions and strengthens group ties as the community mobilizes to receive newcomers. In contrast, such migration does not dampen violence in black communities. We discuss the implications of this for ecological theorizing.