An Empirical Investigation of More Police Time: Crime and Midsize Cities, 1990 V. 2000

Abstract

We find more police reduces crime. Our results suggest crime can be reduced if personally assigned vehicles enhance officer productivity and increase police visibility. Program efficacy declines as an economy's condition improves. We introduce the size of the police force variable in a novel manner that shows on the margin the number of police does matter. We also find evidence to indicate that local efforts to minimize vacant buildings will benefit the community by suppressing criminal activity and reported crime, at least partial support for the "broken windows" policy for community policing.

Keywords: crime, police, vehicle use

JEL Classification: K42, H41