NCJ Number
14710
Date Published
1974
Length
53 pages
Annotation
ANALYSIS OF THE EFFECT OF INCREASED POLICE MANNING AND APPREHENSION ACTIVITIES ON NEW YORK CITY SUBWAY ROBBERIES BETWEEN 1965 AND 1971.
Abstract
THE TRANSIT AUTHORITY POLICE DEPARTMENT INCREASED THE NUMBER OF UNIFORMED PATROLMEN IN THE SUBWAY STATIONS BETWEEN THE HOURS OF 8 PM AND 4 AM. AS A RESULT, THE NUMBER OF FELONIES DECREASED DURING THE HOURS OF INCREASED MANNING (A DETERRENT EFFECT) AND DURING THE REST OF THE DAY (A PHANTOM EFFECT). ROBBERIES WERE FOUND TO BE FOCUSED ON A SMALL NUMBER OF SUBWAY STATIONS IN AREAS WITH HIGH SURFACE CRIME RATES. STAKEOUT TECHNIQUES DEVLOPED BY DETECTIVES TO ARREST TOKEN BOOTH ROBBERS WERE EFFECTIVE BUT DID NOT APPEAR TO DETER CRIME. THE AUTHORS RECOMMENDED THAT TRANSIT POLICE CAPITALIZE ON THE PHANTOM EFFECT BY MAKING TEMPORARY REDEPLOYMENTS OF POLICE MANPOWER TO HIGH CRIME HOURS AND LOCATIONS.