Which study concluded that increasing patrols in a single location did not win public favor and displaced crime to other areas?

Which study concluded that increasing patrols in a single location did not win public favor and displaced crime to other areas?

• A. San Diego
• B. New Haven
• C. Wilmington
• D. Rand

Answer: (B)

Concentrating police patrols in one location tests whether a localized push can deter crime there without causing broader problems. The New Haven study showed that while intensified patrols might affect crime in the targeted spot, they didn’t win broad public support and, crucially, offenders moved their activity to nearby areas. This displacement means the overall crime reduction across the city can be limited or negated, even though one block or street looked calmer. The finding highlights a common policing challenge: focused enforcement can push crime outward unless paired with broader, data-driven strategies that address underlying causes and patterns.

Concentrating police patrols in one location tests whether a localized push can deter crime there without causing broader problems. The New Haven study showed that while intensified patrols might affect crime in the targeted spot, they didn’t win broad public support and, crucially, offenders moved their activity to nearby areas. This displacement means the overall crime reduction across the city can be limited or negated, even though one block or street looked calmer. The finding highlights a common policing challenge: focused enforcement can push crime outward unless paired with broader, data-driven strategies that address underlying causes and patterns.