Specialized Multi-Agency Response Team (SMART)
Axios
Solution types
Effectiveness

Effective

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Effective

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Life periods served
Where the program was applied
Country of application
Description

This is a program to reduce drug trafficking and improve housing conditions in the monitored areas. In each area, the police meets with parties interested in solving the problem, such as community representatives, tenants, and local merchants.
The police suggests simple crime prevention measures and explains tenants’ rights and responsibilities if the premises are found to be used for the sale of drugs or to disturb the peace.
In addition, training activities are carried out, encouraging property owners to seek out potential lessors and informing them about the process of evicting problematic tenants.

Impact evaluations

An impact evaluation showed that there was a 59% reduction in police approaches or arrests in the regions where the program was implemented. In neighboring areas, there was a 24% reduction, and there was also a decrease in problems related to drug trafficking. This relationship suggests that the effects of SMART also had an impact in border areas (diffusion of benefits) [1].

Bibliographic reference

[1] Green, L. (1995). Cleaning up drug hot spots in Oakland, California: The displacement and diffusion effects. Justice Quarterly, 12(4), 737–754. https://doi.org/10.1080/07418829500096271

Information source