Business Improvement Districts (BIDs), Los Angeles
Life periods served
Where the program was applied
Country of application
Description

This is a crime prevention program for commercial establishments and is linked to a non-profit organization created by owners and merchants of the Business Development District.
The objective is to promote local and public safety improvements through services, activities, and programs that include security patrols, sidewalk maintenance, graffiti removal, promotion of local businesses, and parking lot and lighting improvements.

Impact evaluations

One impact evaluation found a reduction in crime overall, with displacement to other areas [1]. Another study found a decrease in robberies, assaults, car thefts, arrests, and crime displacement [2].

Bibliographic reference

[1] Brooks, L. (2008). Volunteering to be taxed: Business improvement districts and the extra-governmental provision of public safety. Journal of Public Economics, 92(1-2), 388–406. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpubeco.2007.07.002

[2] Cook, P. J. & MacDonald, J. (2011). Public Safety through Private Action: An Economic Assessment of BIDS. The Economic Journal, 121(552), 445–462. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1468-0297.2011.02419.x

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