Hot Spots in St. Louis Residential Areas
Axios
Policing
Solution types
Hot Spots Policing
Problems addressed
Crime and delinquency (multiple types)
Police abuse and/or lethality
Fear of crime and/or sensation of insecurity
Low levels of trust in and/or perception of illegitimacy of police agencies
Effectiveness

Effective

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Effective

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Life periods served
People of all ages
Where the program was applied
Community (streets or community centers)
Country of application
United States
Description

This is a hot spot police patrolling approach. The aim is to reduce crime in those areas through increased police presence, without applying specific activities.
The officers intensified stationary patrol and motorized patrol in the areas, while reducing community engagement, foot patrol, car inspection in traffic, and written records. The intervention lasted 5 months, during which the officers occupied the areas for 3 to 4.5 hours a week.

Impact evaluations

An impact assessment showed that police calls were reduced by 5%. Residents of the areas that received the intervention saw the police as less aggressive over time, felt less at risk in the period immediately after treatment, were more willing to cooperate with the police, and felt more integrated and safer in their neighborhoods in the long term [1].

Bibliographic reference

[1] Kochel, T. R., BURRUSS, G. W. & Weisburd, D. (2015). St. Louis County hot spots in residential areas (SCHIRA) final report: Assessing the effects of hot spots policing strategies on police legitimacy, crime, and collective efficacy. Carbondale, IL. Southern Illinois University. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/277953594_ST_LOUIS_COUNTY_HOT_… https://doi.org/10.13140/RG.2.1.3846.4165

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