NCJ Number
15066
Date Published
1972
Length
91 pages
Annotation
USES ECONOMIC TOOLS AND METHODOLOGY TO EXAMINE CRIME GENERATION AND CONTROL FOR THE BETTER ALLOCATION OF STATE RESOURCES FOR DEALING WITH CRIME.
Abstract
IT IS DEMONSTRATED STATISTICALLY THAT RESOURCES DEVOTED TO LAW ENFORCEMENT AND PROSECUTION DO SIGNIFICANTLY DETER SERIOUS FELONY CRIME IN CALIFORNIA. IT IS CONCLUDED THAT THE ALLOCATION OF RESOURCES TO COMBAT THESE INDEX CRIMES IS JUSTIFIABLE AND COST EFFECTIVE. DEVOTION OF RESOURCES TO LAW ENFORCEMENT AND PROSECUTION FOR CRIMES WHICH ARE DIFFICULT TO DETER IS DEEMED NOT COST-EFFECTIVE. IT IS THOUGHT COUNTER-PRODUCTIVE TO CONSIDER CRIMES WITHOUT VICTIMS AS CRIMES, SINCE, ACCORDING TO THE AUTHORS, SUCH A POLICY INSURES A SOURCE OF REVENUE FOR THE CRIMINAL SECTOR. IT IS SUGGESTED THAT SUCH ACTIVITIES MIGHT BETTER BE REGULATED BY THE STATE WITH REVENUES DEVOTED TO PUBLIC USE.