Neighborhood-level drug sales: calculation of the territorial control index

Abstract

Based on a set of measurable indicators, this article proposes the construction and implementation of a measuring system of the level of territorial control exerted by small-scale drug trafficking groups in a certain area. As an example, the phenomenon was measured in Rincon Grande, Pavas, in the city of San Jose, Costa Rica. At the first stage, the said measurement was taken in ten neighborhoods in this locality. Then, based on these results, a broader sectoral level was calculated. This document combines tools from the social sciences with applied mathematics to build a methodological model that can be used in future research in neighborhoods with the presence of criminal groups dedicated to drug-trafficking. The qualitative data used to calculate the territorial control index was gathered through semi-structured interviews. At a second stage, these data were analyzed using binary codification based on small-scale drug trafficking variables and sub-variables.