Arthur Vasquez - Academia.edu (original) (raw)

Papers by Arthur Vasquez

Research paper thumbnail of “It’s Just Paint”: Street Taggers’ Use of Neutralization Techniques

Deviant Behavior, May 9, 2016

ABSTRACT Neutralization theory posits that individuals use various linguistic techniques to free ... more ABSTRACT Neutralization theory posits that individuals use various linguistic techniques to free themselves from guilt associated with offending and/or to maintain a non-criminal self-image. Drawing on interviews with 25 active juvenile street taggers in a large metropolitan area of Texas, this study explores their use of Sykes and Matza’s five techniques of neutralizations and the reasons they give for drifting in and out of offending. Results suggest that offenders have several common stressors that lead them to engage in tagging and that they make extensive use of neutralization techniques to justify their actions.

Research paper thumbnail of Appointment Robbery: Do Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design Strategies Work? Voices from the Street

American journal of qualitative research, Apr 23, 2020

Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) theory posits that crime can be reduced wit... more Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) theory posits that crime can be reduced with modifications and planning to the physical environment by making involvement in criminal activity more difficult to complete by increasing the visibility of the offender thereby raising the risk of being caught. A new type of criminal opportunity has evolved in the 21 st Century with the introduction and explosion of direct e-commerce opportunities with online and app advertisements to buy and sell items through such venues as Craigslist, OfferUp, Letgo, and Facebook Marketplace. This new crime is defined as an 'appointment robbery'. Using interviews of 12 active robbers from a metropolitan area in Texas, this study explored whether or not offenders were deterred from participating in criminal behavior due to the implementation of CPTED strategies. Results from this study suggest that offenders reported that territoriality, natural surveillance, activity support, and access control did serve as deterrents during the decision to commit a robbery. The study examined the original CPTED theory as posited by Jeffery in 1971. The study found support for the original four CPTED strategies.

Research paper thumbnail of “You Gotta Have a Plan so You Won’t Get Caught”: Managing the Risks of Street Tagging

Deviant Behavior, Jan 30, 2020

ABSTRACT Exploring offender decision-making is important to understanding criminal behavior as we... more ABSTRACT Exploring offender decision-making is important to understanding criminal behavior as well as assisting in the creation of criminal justice policy. We analyzed interviews with 25 active juvenile street taggers to identify the sanction avoidance strategies they used to minimize the risk of detection and apprehension by law enforcement and other social control agents. The data suggested that despite the risks associated with street tagging, participants engaged in planning prior to their offending and relied on a number of strategies to reduce the chance of detection and arrest. The findings also revealed that efforts to be invisible to social control agents were complicated by their desire for visibility for their tags. This study expands the existing body of literature by examining active juvenile street taggers and suggests the need for scholars to continue to study restrictive deterrence techniques for varying types of offenders.

Research paper thumbnail of Accounting for Identity Theft

Journal of Contemporary Criminal Justice, Jul 23, 2013

White-collar offenders are thought to be particularly adept at excusing and justifying their crim... more White-collar offenders are thought to be particularly adept at excusing and justifying their crimes. Whether this is due to their personal backgrounds or the characteristics of their crimes is, as of yet, unknown. To shed light on this issue we explore the various justifications and excuses given by identity thieves. Using data from semistructured interviews with 49 federally convicted identity thieves we show that they all provided numerous accounts for their crimes, with denial of injury being the most common. We also find that the use of accounts varies by the lifestyles these offenders live. That is, those seeking to live as conventional citizens call forth different accounts than those who have a criminal lifestyle.

Research paper thumbnail of Strategies for Gaining Access to Robbers: The Importance of Identity, Rapport, and Commitment Acts

Research paper thumbnail of Stigmatization and Stops: Power Threat Theory and Traffic Stop Statistics in North Carolina

SSRN Electronic Journal, 2021

Research paper thumbnail of Adolescent Gang Membership and Differences in Ethnic Identity, Esteem, and Efficacy

Deviant Behavior, 2016

ABSTRACT Scholars have long recognized the impacts of gang membership on adolescents. While some ... more ABSTRACT Scholars have long recognized the impacts of gang membership on adolescents. While some have focused primarily on the negative effects, this seeks to understand the nuanced reasoning and results of joining a gang explicitly on the youth’s perceptions of self-esteem, efficacy, and identity. Using the longitudinal assessment of the Gang Resistance Education and Training (GREAT) program, propensity score matching was conducted on four attitudinal measures to determine whether positive outcomes were seen among adolescents reporting one-time gang involvement. Results indicate a positive effect on self-identity measures. Discussion of these findings illustrates the need for future research and policy implications.

Research paper thumbnail of Neutralization Theory

Encyclopedia of Social Deviance

Carjacking, a type of robbery, is theft or attempted theft of a motor vehicle by force or threat ... more Carjacking, a type of robbery, is theft or attempted theft of a motor vehicle by force or threat of force. Between 1987 and 1992, carjacl<ings accounted for 2% of the 1.9 million vehicle thefts per year that occurred nationwide. This report analyzes Jata from the National Crlmb Victimization Survey (NCVS) to describe this crime. (See the NCVS box on page 2.) Carjacking compared to risks of other life events

Research paper thumbnail of Accounting for Identity Theft

Journal of Contemporary Criminal Justice, 2013

White-collar offenders are thought to be particularly adept at excusing and justifying their crim... more White-collar offenders are thought to be particularly adept at excusing and justifying their crimes. Whether this is due to their personal backgrounds or the characteristics of their crimes is, as of yet, unknown. To shed light on this issue we explore the various justifications and excuses given by identity thieves. Using data from semistructured interviews with 49 federally convicted identity thieves we show that they all provided numerous accounts for their crimes, with denial of injury being the most common. We also find that the use of accounts varies by the lifestyles these offenders live. That is, those seeking to live as conventional citizens call forth different accounts than those who have a criminal lifestyle.

Research paper thumbnail of Strategies for Gaining Access to Robbers: The Importance of Identity, Rapport, and Commitment Acts

American journal of qualitative research, Oct 25, 2022

Researching hard-to-reach populations that are criminally active is difficult. Gaining access to ... more Researching hard-to-reach populations that are criminally active is difficult. Gaining access to these populations is essential to the success of the project, however, strategies to obtain access can involve navigating through complex and dangerous situations. Prior research has identified a range of factors that can influence the ability of researchers to gain access to offenders. Qualitative projects that encompass obtaining information from individuals mandate researchers to consider from whom they need to gain information, and how to appeal to the individuals. This relationship building is facilitated by strategies of gaining access that aid not only the recruitment of participants but also increase the quality of interactions and data collection. In this paper, we examine the importance of identity, rapport, and commitment acts in relationship building to gain access to active offenders in fieldwork. This contribution offers examples in which researchers can negotiate the difficulties in gaining access.

Research paper thumbnail of Do Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design Strategies Deter Taggers? Voices from the Street

Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) postulates that crime and antisocial behavi... more Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) postulates that crime and antisocial behavior can be deterred with the effective use and proper design of the physical environment. When CPTED strategies are implemented, it makes involvement in criminal behavior more difficult to complete by increasing the individual's visibility, thereby increasing the chance of being caught. Using interviews with 35 active juvenile street taggers from a large metropolitan area in Texas, this research explores whether offenders are deterred from engaging in criminal activity due to the implementation of CPTED strategies. Results suggest that offenders reported physical barriers, natural surveillance, access, and signage served as deterrents during the target selection process.

Research paper thumbnail of Appointment-Robbery-Do-Crime-Prevention-Through-Environmental-Design-Strategies-Work-Voices-From-The-Street

American Journal of Qualitative Research

Research paper thumbnail of “You Gotta Have a Plan so You Won’t Get Caught”: Managing the Risks of Street Tagging

Deviant Behavior

ABSTRACT Exploring offender decision-making is important to understanding criminal behavior as we... more ABSTRACT Exploring offender decision-making is important to understanding criminal behavior as well as assisting in the creation of criminal justice policy. We analyzed interviews with 25 active juvenile street taggers to identify the sanction avoidance strategies they used to minimize the risk of detection and apprehension by law enforcement and other social control agents. The data suggested that despite the risks associated with street tagging, participants engaged in planning prior to their offending and relied on a number of strategies to reduce the chance of detection and arrest. The findings also revealed that efforts to be invisible to social control agents were complicated by their desire for visibility for their tags. This study expands the existing body of literature by examining active juvenile street taggers and suggests the need for scholars to continue to study restrictive deterrence techniques for varying types of offenders.

Research paper thumbnail of “It’s Just Paint”: Street Taggers’ Use of Neutralization Techniques

Deviant Behavior, 2016

ABSTRACT Neutralization theory posits that individuals use various linguistic techniques to free ... more ABSTRACT Neutralization theory posits that individuals use various linguistic techniques to free themselves from guilt associated with offending and/or to maintain a non-criminal self-image. Drawing on interviews with 25 active juvenile street taggers in a large metropolitan area of Texas, this study explores their use of Sykes and Matza’s five techniques of neutralizations and the reasons they give for drifting in and out of offending. Results suggest that offenders have several common stressors that lead them to engage in tagging and that they make extensive use of neutralization techniques to justify their actions.

Research paper thumbnail of Adolescent Gang Membership and Differences in Ethnic Identity, Esteem, and Efficacy

Scholars have long recognized the impacts of gang membership on adolescents. While some have focu... more Scholars have long recognized the impacts of gang membership on adolescents. While some have focused primarily on the negative effects, this study examines the potential positive outcome of adolescent gang membership. More specifically, the current study seeks to understand the nuanced reasoning and results of joining a gang explicitly on the youth’s perceptions of self-esteem, efficacy, and identity. Using the longitudinal assessment of the GREAT program, propensity score matching was conducted on four separate attitudinal measures to determine whether positive outcomes were seen among adolescents reporting one-time involvement in a gang. Results indicate a positive effect of gang membership on self-identity measures. Discussion of these findings illustrates the need for future research and policy implications.

Research paper thumbnail of “It’s Just Paint”: Street Taggers’ Use of Neutralization Techniques

Deviant Behavior, May 9, 2016

ABSTRACT Neutralization theory posits that individuals use various linguistic techniques to free ... more ABSTRACT Neutralization theory posits that individuals use various linguistic techniques to free themselves from guilt associated with offending and/or to maintain a non-criminal self-image. Drawing on interviews with 25 active juvenile street taggers in a large metropolitan area of Texas, this study explores their use of Sykes and Matza’s five techniques of neutralizations and the reasons they give for drifting in and out of offending. Results suggest that offenders have several common stressors that lead them to engage in tagging and that they make extensive use of neutralization techniques to justify their actions.

Research paper thumbnail of Appointment Robbery: Do Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design Strategies Work? Voices from the Street

American journal of qualitative research, Apr 23, 2020

Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) theory posits that crime can be reduced wit... more Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) theory posits that crime can be reduced with modifications and planning to the physical environment by making involvement in criminal activity more difficult to complete by increasing the visibility of the offender thereby raising the risk of being caught. A new type of criminal opportunity has evolved in the 21 st Century with the introduction and explosion of direct e-commerce opportunities with online and app advertisements to buy and sell items through such venues as Craigslist, OfferUp, Letgo, and Facebook Marketplace. This new crime is defined as an 'appointment robbery'. Using interviews of 12 active robbers from a metropolitan area in Texas, this study explored whether or not offenders were deterred from participating in criminal behavior due to the implementation of CPTED strategies. Results from this study suggest that offenders reported that territoriality, natural surveillance, activity support, and access control did serve as deterrents during the decision to commit a robbery. The study examined the original CPTED theory as posited by Jeffery in 1971. The study found support for the original four CPTED strategies.

Research paper thumbnail of “You Gotta Have a Plan so You Won’t Get Caught”: Managing the Risks of Street Tagging

Deviant Behavior, Jan 30, 2020

ABSTRACT Exploring offender decision-making is important to understanding criminal behavior as we... more ABSTRACT Exploring offender decision-making is important to understanding criminal behavior as well as assisting in the creation of criminal justice policy. We analyzed interviews with 25 active juvenile street taggers to identify the sanction avoidance strategies they used to minimize the risk of detection and apprehension by law enforcement and other social control agents. The data suggested that despite the risks associated with street tagging, participants engaged in planning prior to their offending and relied on a number of strategies to reduce the chance of detection and arrest. The findings also revealed that efforts to be invisible to social control agents were complicated by their desire for visibility for their tags. This study expands the existing body of literature by examining active juvenile street taggers and suggests the need for scholars to continue to study restrictive deterrence techniques for varying types of offenders.

Research paper thumbnail of Accounting for Identity Theft

Journal of Contemporary Criminal Justice, Jul 23, 2013

White-collar offenders are thought to be particularly adept at excusing and justifying their crim... more White-collar offenders are thought to be particularly adept at excusing and justifying their crimes. Whether this is due to their personal backgrounds or the characteristics of their crimes is, as of yet, unknown. To shed light on this issue we explore the various justifications and excuses given by identity thieves. Using data from semistructured interviews with 49 federally convicted identity thieves we show that they all provided numerous accounts for their crimes, with denial of injury being the most common. We also find that the use of accounts varies by the lifestyles these offenders live. That is, those seeking to live as conventional citizens call forth different accounts than those who have a criminal lifestyle.

Research paper thumbnail of Strategies for Gaining Access to Robbers: The Importance of Identity, Rapport, and Commitment Acts

Research paper thumbnail of Stigmatization and Stops: Power Threat Theory and Traffic Stop Statistics in North Carolina

SSRN Electronic Journal, 2021

Research paper thumbnail of Adolescent Gang Membership and Differences in Ethnic Identity, Esteem, and Efficacy

Deviant Behavior, 2016

ABSTRACT Scholars have long recognized the impacts of gang membership on adolescents. While some ... more ABSTRACT Scholars have long recognized the impacts of gang membership on adolescents. While some have focused primarily on the negative effects, this seeks to understand the nuanced reasoning and results of joining a gang explicitly on the youth’s perceptions of self-esteem, efficacy, and identity. Using the longitudinal assessment of the Gang Resistance Education and Training (GREAT) program, propensity score matching was conducted on four attitudinal measures to determine whether positive outcomes were seen among adolescents reporting one-time gang involvement. Results indicate a positive effect on self-identity measures. Discussion of these findings illustrates the need for future research and policy implications.

Research paper thumbnail of Neutralization Theory

Encyclopedia of Social Deviance

Carjacking, a type of robbery, is theft or attempted theft of a motor vehicle by force or threat ... more Carjacking, a type of robbery, is theft or attempted theft of a motor vehicle by force or threat of force. Between 1987 and 1992, carjacl<ings accounted for 2% of the 1.9 million vehicle thefts per year that occurred nationwide. This report analyzes Jata from the National Crlmb Victimization Survey (NCVS) to describe this crime. (See the NCVS box on page 2.) Carjacking compared to risks of other life events

Research paper thumbnail of Accounting for Identity Theft

Journal of Contemporary Criminal Justice, 2013

White-collar offenders are thought to be particularly adept at excusing and justifying their crim... more White-collar offenders are thought to be particularly adept at excusing and justifying their crimes. Whether this is due to their personal backgrounds or the characteristics of their crimes is, as of yet, unknown. To shed light on this issue we explore the various justifications and excuses given by identity thieves. Using data from semistructured interviews with 49 federally convicted identity thieves we show that they all provided numerous accounts for their crimes, with denial of injury being the most common. We also find that the use of accounts varies by the lifestyles these offenders live. That is, those seeking to live as conventional citizens call forth different accounts than those who have a criminal lifestyle.

Research paper thumbnail of Strategies for Gaining Access to Robbers: The Importance of Identity, Rapport, and Commitment Acts

American journal of qualitative research, Oct 25, 2022

Researching hard-to-reach populations that are criminally active is difficult. Gaining access to ... more Researching hard-to-reach populations that are criminally active is difficult. Gaining access to these populations is essential to the success of the project, however, strategies to obtain access can involve navigating through complex and dangerous situations. Prior research has identified a range of factors that can influence the ability of researchers to gain access to offenders. Qualitative projects that encompass obtaining information from individuals mandate researchers to consider from whom they need to gain information, and how to appeal to the individuals. This relationship building is facilitated by strategies of gaining access that aid not only the recruitment of participants but also increase the quality of interactions and data collection. In this paper, we examine the importance of identity, rapport, and commitment acts in relationship building to gain access to active offenders in fieldwork. This contribution offers examples in which researchers can negotiate the difficulties in gaining access.

Research paper thumbnail of Do Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design Strategies Deter Taggers? Voices from the Street

Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) postulates that crime and antisocial behavi... more Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) postulates that crime and antisocial behavior can be deterred with the effective use and proper design of the physical environment. When CPTED strategies are implemented, it makes involvement in criminal behavior more difficult to complete by increasing the individual's visibility, thereby increasing the chance of being caught. Using interviews with 35 active juvenile street taggers from a large metropolitan area in Texas, this research explores whether offenders are deterred from engaging in criminal activity due to the implementation of CPTED strategies. Results suggest that offenders reported physical barriers, natural surveillance, access, and signage served as deterrents during the target selection process.

Research paper thumbnail of Appointment-Robbery-Do-Crime-Prevention-Through-Environmental-Design-Strategies-Work-Voices-From-The-Street

American Journal of Qualitative Research

Research paper thumbnail of “You Gotta Have a Plan so You Won’t Get Caught”: Managing the Risks of Street Tagging

Deviant Behavior

ABSTRACT Exploring offender decision-making is important to understanding criminal behavior as we... more ABSTRACT Exploring offender decision-making is important to understanding criminal behavior as well as assisting in the creation of criminal justice policy. We analyzed interviews with 25 active juvenile street taggers to identify the sanction avoidance strategies they used to minimize the risk of detection and apprehension by law enforcement and other social control agents. The data suggested that despite the risks associated with street tagging, participants engaged in planning prior to their offending and relied on a number of strategies to reduce the chance of detection and arrest. The findings also revealed that efforts to be invisible to social control agents were complicated by their desire for visibility for their tags. This study expands the existing body of literature by examining active juvenile street taggers and suggests the need for scholars to continue to study restrictive deterrence techniques for varying types of offenders.

Research paper thumbnail of “It’s Just Paint”: Street Taggers’ Use of Neutralization Techniques

Deviant Behavior, 2016

ABSTRACT Neutralization theory posits that individuals use various linguistic techniques to free ... more ABSTRACT Neutralization theory posits that individuals use various linguistic techniques to free themselves from guilt associated with offending and/or to maintain a non-criminal self-image. Drawing on interviews with 25 active juvenile street taggers in a large metropolitan area of Texas, this study explores their use of Sykes and Matza’s five techniques of neutralizations and the reasons they give for drifting in and out of offending. Results suggest that offenders have several common stressors that lead them to engage in tagging and that they make extensive use of neutralization techniques to justify their actions.

Research paper thumbnail of Adolescent Gang Membership and Differences in Ethnic Identity, Esteem, and Efficacy

Scholars have long recognized the impacts of gang membership on adolescents. While some have focu... more Scholars have long recognized the impacts of gang membership on adolescents. While some have focused primarily on the negative effects, this study examines the potential positive outcome of adolescent gang membership. More specifically, the current study seeks to understand the nuanced reasoning and results of joining a gang explicitly on the youth’s perceptions of self-esteem, efficacy, and identity. Using the longitudinal assessment of the GREAT program, propensity score matching was conducted on four separate attitudinal measures to determine whether positive outcomes were seen among adolescents reporting one-time involvement in a gang. Results indicate a positive effect of gang membership on self-identity measures. Discussion of these findings illustrates the need for future research and policy implications.