Exploring the spatial dynamics of intra- and inter-racial violence: impact of movement patterns and social interaction

Using 2019 Arlington, Texas, census block group data, this research examines whether human mobility is differentially associated with inter- versus intra-racial assault rates. Negative binomial regressions run on the data comprised of mobile-device traces, police incidents, and community covariates revealed that greater diversity of visitor origins and longer travel distances are associated with higher inter-racial assault rates, whereas longer dwell times are linked to lower rates. Intra-racial assault is more strongly associated with concentrated disadvantage and local spatial spillovers. These findings suggest that transient, heterogeneous exposure shapes between-group violence, whereas structural deprivation better explains within-community violence.