Leveraging code enforcement units to reduce crime: A difference-in-difference analysis of a targeted crime prevention intervention

IF 2.5 1区社会学 Q1 CRIMINOLOGY & PENOLOGY

Journal of Criminal Justice Pub Date : 2025-07-01 DOI:10.1016/j.jcrimjus.2025.102472

Hunter M. Boehme , Brandon Tregle , Marc Olson , Cannon Fulmer

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Police agencies are considering innovative, cost-effective strategies to reduce crime, particularly during a police staffing crisis. One potential strategy involves leveraging code enforcement units to abate vacant lots, buildings, and overgrown landscapes. This approach also offers a light-footprint mechanism to reduce crime with minimal contact between police and the public. The present study utilizes a rigorous quasi-experimental design of a targeted code enforcement crime prevention strategy implemented within a large Southeastern United States police agency. Findings from two-way fixed effects difference-in-difference analyses revealed a non-significant impact on shootings and violent crimes. However, there were significant reductions in total property crimes. This study provides promising evidence of a cost-effective low-contact property crime reduction strategy for police agencies. We discuss policy implications and future research directions.

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利用守则执行单位减少犯罪：有针对性的预防犯罪干预的差异分析

警察机构正在考虑采用具有成本效益的创新战略来减少犯罪，特别是在警察人员配备危机期间。一个潜在的策略包括利用代码执行单位来减少空地、建筑物和杂草丛生的景观。这种方法还提供了一种轻足迹机制，以减少警察和公众之间的接触，减少犯罪。本研究采用严格的准实验设计，在美国东南部的一个大型警察机构内实施了有针对性的执法犯罪预防策略。双向固定效应差异分析的结果显示，对枪击和暴力犯罪的影响不显著。然而，财产犯罪总数却显著减少。本研究为警察机构提供了具有成本效益的低接触财产犯罪减少策略的有希望的证据。我们讨论了政策影响和未来的研究方向。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Journal of Criminal Justice CRIMINOLOGY & PENOLOGY-

CiteScore

6.90

自引率

9.10%

发文量

审稿时长

23 days

期刊介绍： The Journal of Criminal Justice is an international journal intended to fill the present need for the dissemination of new information, ideas and methods, to both practitioners and academicians in the criminal justice area. The Journal is concerned with all aspects of the criminal justice system in terms of their relationships to each other. Although materials are presented relating to crime and the individual elements of the criminal justice system, the emphasis of the Journal is to tie together the functioning of these elements and to illustrate the effects of their interactions. Articles that reflect the application of new disciplines or analytical methodologies to the problems of criminal justice are of special interest. Since the purpose of the Journal is to provide a forum for the dissemination of new ideas, new information, and the application of new methods to the problems and functions of the criminal justice system, the Journal emphasizes innovation and creative thought of the highest quality.