Return of the MAC, the Columbia model: Full‐scale crime intervention and public perceptions of police presence

Abstract

Research Summary In the summer of 2025, the Columbia (SC) Police Department (CPD) implemented a full‐scale crime intervention in the Millwood Avenue Corridor (MAC), a historically high‐crime neighborhood. The intervention consisted of random high‐visibility patrols on 10 high‐crime streets during high‐crime times, increased LED lighting, increased code enforcement cases (e.g., abated buildings) across the neighborhood, a distribution of 340 burglary prevention door hangers to rental units, and coordinated drug enforcement activities. Using Bayesian synthetic control methods, findings indicate significant decreases in total Part I crimes, violent crimes, and property crimes during the intervention period, with no evidence of displacement to nearby areas. Postintervention analyses indicated sustained residual deterrence in robbery and burglary. In addition, pre‐ and postintervention surveys were distributed to a random sample of residents within the MAC to assess perceptions of legitimacy, visibility, and neighborhood crime problems. Some significant positive shifts in perceptions of CPD from pre‐ to post‐intervention occurred, including perceptions that individuals who commit burglary/theft would likely be arrested and that CPD's code enforcement units were more visible during the intervention. Policy Implications The execution of several evidence‐based crime reduction strategies in the target area resulted in decreased violent and property crimes. Coupling multiple evidence‐based strategies targeting historically high‐crime areas may reduce multiple crime types. Furthermore, these strategies not only reduced crime but also enhanced certain residents’ perceptions of the police and the neighborhood. This study highlights that several crime prevention strategies can be implemented successfully, especially if systematically implemented and tracked, eliciting higher perceptions of police and the neighborhood. Further, this study highlights the value of collaborative crime prevention initiatives that require both intra‐ and interagency coordination and partnerships. Agencies seeking to address crime problems in historically high‐crime areas can model similar strategies around the Columbia model.