Premises as Location

When we consider the location where a crime took place, we often think of the place on a map.

But places can mean a variety of things, such as:

actual location

actual place in location: elevator/stairwell

type of location (premise)

cyber location

context of location: no one home (funeral, work hours)

travel patterns

routine activities

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From the Merriam-Webster dictionary: premises also premisses plural [from its being identified in the premises of the deed]

a : a tract of land with the buildings thereon

b : a building or part of a building usually with its appurtenances (such as grounds)

The type of premise where a crime took place can be an important aspect of the model operandi. Knowing it can help the analysis link crimes.

Consider the concept of PREMISE by looking at the premise codes Houston uses:

Houston Premise Codes

http://www.houstontx.gov/police/cs/beatpages/premise.htm

AIRPORT TERMINAL

BUS STATION

RAILROAD TRACK/RIGHT OF WAY

PARK & RIDE TERMINAL

LIGHT RAIL VEHICLE

TRAIN TERMINAL

BANK

CREDIT UNION

SAVINGS AND LOAN INSTITUTIONS

VACANT BANK

BAR/NIGHT CLUB

SEXUALLY ORIENTED CLUB

CHURCH/SYNAGOGUE/TEMPLE

VACANT CHURCH/SYNAGOGUE/TEMPLE

AMUSE. PARK,BOWL. ALLEY,SKATE RINK

BARBER AND BEAUTY SHOPS

COMMERCIAL BUILDING

CAR WASH

AUTO REPAIR

FACTORY/MANUFACTURING/INDUSTRIAL

GYM,RECREAT,CLUB HSE,INDR POOL,SPA

BODY SHOP

LAUNDRY/DRY CLEANERS/WASHATERIAS

MALL COMMON AREA

MAINTENANCE/BUILDING SERVICES

OFFICE BUILDING

POOL HALL/GAME ROOM

CHECK CASHING PLACES

APARTMENT/RENTAL OFFICE

STADIUM/SPRTS ARENA/RACE TRACK

THEATRES,DINNER THEATERS,AUDITOR.

UTILITY COMPANY,ELECTRIC,GAS,WATER

VACANT BUILDING (COMMERCIAL)

WAREHOUSE

VEHICLE/AUTO SALES/LEASE/AUTO PARTS STORE

VACANT INDUSTRIAL/MANUFACTURING/INDUSTRIAL

MISC. BUSINESS (NON-SPECIFIC)

CONSTRUCTION SITE

CONVENIENCE STORE

DEPARTMENT/DISCOUNT STORE

DRUG STORE/MEDICAL SUPPLY

HOSPITAL

PHYSICIAN'S OFFICE

REHABILITATION CENTER

VACANT HOSPITAL

FIELD/WOODS

CONVENTION CENTER/EXHIBIT HALLS

FIRE STATION

GOVERNMENT/PUBLIC BUILDING

LIBRARIES, MUSEUMS

POLICE STATION

PARKS & RECREATION, ZOO, SWIM POOL

SOCIAL SERVICES/PUBLIC CHARITIES

VACANT GOVERNMENT/PUBLIC BUILDING

GROCERY/SUPERMARKET

VACANT GROCERY/SUPERMARKET

ALLEY

BUS STOP

CONTRA-FLOW/HOV

HIGHWAY/FREEWAY

ROAD/STREET/SIDEWALK

FREEWAY SERVICE ROAD

TOLLWAY

HOTEL/MOTEL/ETC.

VACANT HOTEL/MOTEL/ETC.

JAIL/PRISON

VACANT JAIL/PRISON

LAKE/WATERWAY/BAYOU

LIQUOR STORE

APARTMENT PARKING LOT

BANK/SAVING INSTITUTION PARKING LOT

CONVENIENCE STORE PARKING LOT

LAUNDRY/DRY CLEANERS PARKING LOT

GROCERY/SUPERMARKET PARKING LOT

HOSPITAL PARKING LOT

LIQUOR STORE PARKING LOT

HOTEL/MOTEL PARKING LOT

BAR/NIGHT CLUB PARKING LOT

OTHER PARKING LOT

COMMERCIAL PARKING LOT/GARAGE

RESTAURANT/CAFETERIA PARKING LOT

SEXUALLY ORIENTED BUSINESS PARKING LOT

STRIP BUSINESS CENTER PARKING LOT

MALL PARKING LOT

CHURCH/SYNAGOGUE/TEMPLE PARKING LOT

RENTAL STORAGE FACILITY

VACANT STORAGE FACILITY (BARNS,GARAGES,WAREHOUSES,ETC.)

APARTMENT

CONDOMINIUM

DRIVEWAY

GARAGE/CARPORT

HIGH RISE

APARTMENT LAUNDRY

MOBILE HOME

NURSING HOME

MULTI-PLEX HME(DUPLEX,TRIPLEX ETC)

RESIDENCE/HOUSE

VACANT SINGLE OCCUPANCY RESIDENCE (HOUSES,TOWNHOUSES,DUPLEXES, ETC.)

VACANT OTHER RESIDENTIAL (APARTMENT,INN,DORMS,BOARDING HOUSE)

RESTAURANT/CAFETERIA

VACANT RESTAURANT

COMMERCIAL OR TRAINING SCHOOL

DAYCARE/CHILD CARE/KINDERGARTEN

ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

HIGH SCHOOL

MIDDLE SCHOOL

PRIVATE SCHOOL

UNIVERSITY/COLLEGE

VACANT SCHOOL/COLLEGE

SERVICE/GAS STATION

SPECIALTY STORE (NON-SPECIFIC)

ADULT BOOK STORE/NEWSSTAND

BOOK,RECORD,STATIONARY,OFFICE SUP.

CLOTHING STORE

ELECTRONICS STORE, ELECTRICAL SUP.

FURNITURE, APPLIANCES, RADIOS, TV

GARDEN SUPPLY, NURSERY, FLORIST

JEWELRY STORES

MARINE VEH. SALES,BOATS,SAILBOATS

PAWN/RESALE SHOP/FLEA MARKET

SPORTING GOODS/GUN SHOPS

TOYS,ARTS & CRAFT,MUSICAL,BIKE,PET

VIDEO RENTAL & SALES

OTHER/UNKNOWN

LIGHT RAIL PLATFORM

VACANT OTHER STRUCTURE (OUT BUILDINGS,MONUMENTS,BUILDINGS UNDER CONSTRUCTION,ETC.)

If officers do not collect data on premises, you are missing an important "clue" in your analyses of crime in your jurisdiction.