Mapping the Violence Reputation of Organized Crime Groups

Abstract

This Methods article details a survey used to create spatial maps of perceived violence and danger, key indicators of criminal governance, across three Mexican states. This method adds to traditional mapping techniques, which typically only visualize areal data at the municipal level. Criminal governance has been defined as the process by which organized crime groups impose control over territory, population, and resources, often through violence, threats, and bribery. The ability to inflict violence, whether real or imagined, allows groups to establish a persuasive form of communication, solidifying their legitimacy in enforcing rules and claims over territory. The methodology presented here involves conducting surveys to gauge the perceived level of danger in different areas, followed by Geographic Information System (GIS) empirical Bayesian kriging interpolation to generate maps. The study focuses on three Mexican states: Michoacán, Jalisco, and Colima, providing a valuable tool for understanding the relationship between perceived criminal violence reputation and various socio-economic and legal outcomes, especially in the Mexican context. The paper also discusses potential improvements and adaptations of the methodology for broader applicability and acknowledges its limitations.

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