Targeted Beat Program (Houston, United States)
Axios
Policing
Problems addressed
Crime and delinquency (multiple types)
Effectiveness

Effective

.

.

.

.

.

Effective

Want to know more about this classification? Check out our methodological manual.

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 police program to reduce crime in hot spot areas in the city of Houston.
Officers were released from their normal duties and assigned full-time to hot spot areas with the aim of maintaining police presence and reducing crime, with strategies adapted to the demands of each area.
Different strategies were adopted: high-visibility approach, hot spot approach, zero tolerance, and problem-solving approach.

Impact evaluations

An impact assessment showed that tactics involving hot spots and zero tolerance were more effective than mere high-visibility patrols or problem-oriented tactics [1].
In addition, crime statistics indicated that there was no geographical displacement as a result of the additional resources dedicated to the program. On the contrary, there was a diffusion of the benefits of crime control [1].
The author suggested that additional resources dedicated to policing and crime interdiction in high-crime areas are effective to reduce crime, and certain tactics, such as hot spot policing, are particularly effective [1].

Bibliographic reference

[1] Caeti, T. J. (1999). Houston's targeted beat program: A quasi-experimental test of police patrol strategies. Sam Houston State University.

Information source