Subjective distance to public institutions in urban and rural contexts and community safety concerns

This study examines how subjective proximity to public institutions relates to community safety concerns in Sweden, using original survey data linked to neighbourhood contexts. Results reveal a nonlinear pattern: proximity to institutions is associated with reduced concern in disadvantaged neighbourhoods, but increased concern in affluent areas – particularly in relation to police. Urban–rural location does not significantly moderate this relationship. These findings highlight that institutional presence is symbolically interpreted and shaped by local context, suggesting that institutions should not be viewed as uniformly reassuring. The study contributes to research on spatial inequality, community safety and the meaning of public institutions.