NCJ Number
166676
Journal
American Journal of Police Volume: 15 Issue: 3 Dated: (1996) Pages: 45-64
Date Published
1996
Length
20 pages
Annotation
This study attempted to resolve several issues arising from previous research on the relationship between aggressive police patrols and crime, based on the Dayton, Ohio, traffic law enforcement experiment.
Abstract
The study tested four hypotheses: (1) areas subjected to increased traffic law enforcement would experience lower suppressible street crime; (2) increased traffic law enforcement would increase arrests for serious offenses; (3) increased traffic law enforcement would increase arrests for drugs, weapons, and driving under the influence (DUI); and (4) increased traffic law enforcement would reduce traffic accidents. An interrupted time series design with a nonequivalent, no-treatment control group time series was employed. Data were gathered on crime incidence, arrests, and accidents. Increased traffic law enforcement did not reduce the incidence of either robbery or auto theft and did not affect arrests for index offenses. In addition, increased traffic law enforcement did not have any detectable effect on reported traffic accidents. Instead of an increase in arrests for drugs, weapons, and DUI, the result was a statistically significant reduction in such arrests. Reasons why the study failed to demonstrate a relationship between traffic law enforcement and crime are discussed, and areas for further research are recommended. 29 references, 5 notes, 3 tables, and 6 figures