NCJ Number
37985
Date Published
1976
Length
86 pages
Annotation
THIS STUDY SUMMARIZES EARLY RESULTS OF AN ATTEMPT TO APPLY AN ECONOMIC MODEL OF CRIME TO EXPLAIN RECORDED PROPERTY CRIME RATES IN CANADA.
Abstract
THE MODEL IS ADAPTED FROM THE ECONOMIC MODEL OF CRIMINAL BEHAVIOUR ORIGINALLY PROPOSED BY BECKER (1968) AND LATER ESTIMATED IN VARIOUS FORMS, NOTABLY BY EHRLICH (1973), SJOQUIST (1973), AND SWIMMER (1974) FOR THE UNITED STATES AND BY CARR-HILL AND STERN (1973) FOR ENGLAND AND WALES. THE MODEL INCLUDES A SUPPLY-OF-OFFENSES FUNCTION AND A POLICE PRODUCTION FUNCTION FOR EACH PROPERTY CRIME, AS WELL AS A FUNCTION EXPLAINING TOTAL GOVERNMENT EXPENDITURES ON POLICE AND PROTECTION. EMPIRICAL RESULTS ARE PRESENTED ONLY FOR THE SUPPLY-OF-OFFENSES FUNCTIONS FOR FOUR DIFFERENT PROPERTY CRIMES. THE EQUATIONS ARE ESTIMATED USING PROVINCIAL DATA FOR 1970, 1971, AND 1972. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT)