Life on the Road: Fear of Crime Among Nomads

People who live and travel in recreational or retrofitted vehicles experience very high victimization prevalence rates. The current study provides the first examination of fear of crime and perceived risk of victimization among Nomads and members of the Vanlife community. Fear of crime is quite high in this community. Analyses suggest the vulnerability-fear perspective applies to this subpopulation with important exceptions regarding age and education. Further, direct victimization and perceived risk hypotheses are supported. Disaggregated analyses illuminate differences for year-round Nomads versus part-timers. Analyses support the distinction between fear of crime and perceived risk for this subpopulation but raise questions about how lifestyles of Nomads shape fear and how perceived risk and prior victimizations shape behaviors. Directions for future research and practical implications are offered.