Houston Enhanced Action Patrol: Examining the Effects of Differential Deployment Lengths with a Switched Replication Design. (15th April 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Hoover, Larry; Wells, William; Zhang, Yan; Ren, Ling; Zhao, Jihong
• Is Part Of: Justice quarterly. Volume 33:Number 3(2016)
• Page Start: 538
• Page End: 563
• Publication Date: 2016-04-15
• Subjects: patrol -- hot spots -- deployment -- Houston; Criminal justice, Administration of -- Periodicals; Criminal justice, Administration of -- United States -- Periodicals; 340.11405
• DOI: 10.1080/07418825.2014.915339
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0741-8825

Abstract

Abstract : Studies have tested variations of concentrated patrol combined with intense field interrogations, broken windows enforcement, Compstat accountability, and problem-oriented approaches. Although a majority of findings support the efficacy of concentrated patrol, a substantial number do not. Questions remain regarding six variables: dimension, dosage, duration, displacement, diffusion, and denouement. This study tested differential deployment lengths of geographically concentrated, proactive patrol for an additional 80 h per week in 13 high crime beats in Houston, TX. The original purpose was to identify optimal lengths of deployment periods. The study used a switched replication design with repeated treatments over deployment periods ranging from 4 to 12 weeks. Meaningful reductions in suppressible street crime occurred in only 2 of the 13 beats. The two beats were among the smallest, had among the highest crime rates, and received the highest dosage of concentrated patrol.