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Do Federal Law Enforcement Grants Reduce Serious Crime?

NCJ Number
232766
Journal
Criminal Justice Policy Review Volume: 21 Issue: 4 Dated: December 2010 Pages: 459-475
Author(s)
John L. Worrall
Date Published
December 2010
Length
17 pages
Annotation
This article examines studies that have investigated whether Federal law enforcement grants are an effective tool for reducing crime.
Abstract
A number of researchers have concluded that Federal assistance to local law enforcement agencies reduces serious crime. This article critiques such studies, makes recommendations for improvement, and then implements the recommendations using data from a 12-year panel of approximately 5,000 cities, focusing in particular on the relationship between Local Law Enforcement Block Grants and serious crime. Results suggest researchers should be cautious in attributing crime reductions to grant funding programs. Tables, notes, and references (Published Abstract)