Proactive Policing and Robbery Rates Across U.S. Cities

Criminology, Vol. 48, pp. 57-98, 2010

41 Pages Posted: 26 Mar 2012

See all articles by Charis E. Kubrin

Charis E. Kubrin

University of California, Irvine

Steven Messner

State University of New York (SUNY)

glenn deane

affiliation not provided to SSRN

Kelly McGeever

State University of New York (SUNY)

Thomas Stucky

Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI)

Date Written: 2010

Abstract

In recent years, criminologists, as well as journalists, have devoted considerable attention to the potential deterrent effect of what is sometimes referred to as “proactive” policing. This style of policing entails the vigorous enforcement of laws against relatively minor or frequent offenses in order to prevent more serious crime. The current study examines the effect of proactive policing on robbery rates for a sample of large U.S. cities using an innovative measure developed by Sampson and Cohen (1988). We replicate their cross-sectional analyses using data from 2000-2003, a period during which proactive policing is likely to have become more common than the period of the original study — the early 1980s. We also extend their cross-sectional analyses by estimating a more comprehensive regression model that incorporates additional predictors thought to affect robbery. Finally, we estimate dynamic models to address the vexing issue of endogeneity. The results suggest that the cross-sectional relationship between proactive policing and robbery rates is quite robust. Further support for a relationship between proactive policing and robbery is found in dynamic models that account for endogeneity.

Keywords: proactive policing, violent crime, deterrence, endogeneity

Suggested Citation

Kubrin, Charis and Messner, Steven and deane, glenn and McGeever, Kelly and Stucky, Thomas, Proactive Policing and Robbery Rates Across U.S. Cities (2010). Criminology, Vol. 48, pp. 57-98, 2010, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2028141

Charis Kubrin (Contact Author)

University of California, Irvine ( email )

Department of Criminiology, Law and Society
Social Ecology II, Rm 3379
Irvine, CA 62697-3125
United States

Steven Messner

State University of New York (SUNY) ( email )

Vestal Parkway East
Binghamton, NY 13902
United States

Glenn Deane

affiliation not provided to SSRN

Kelly McGeever

State University of New York (SUNY) ( email )

Vestal Parkway East
Binghamton, NY 13902
United States

Thomas Stucky

Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) ( email )

1309 E. 10th St.
Indianapolis, IN 47405
United States

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