Multi-Jurisdictional Law Enforcement Response to Increased Motor Vehicle Thefts in Downtown Areas
Axios
Solution types
Problems addressed
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 police task force that uses spatial and temporal analysis to combat vehicle theft in downtown areas. The police strategy consists of blocking escape routes in areas with a high rate of vehicle theft with police cars and locating targets, looking for clusters of stolen cars. This blocking strategy avoids high-speed traffic chases and prevents suspects from escaping.

Impact evaluations

An impact evaluation showed a statistically significant decrease in reported vehicle thefts in the cities that participated in the program after the intervention [1].

Bibliographic reference

[1] Krimmel, J. T. & Mele, M. (1998). Investigating stolen vehicle dump sites. Policing: An International Journal of Police Strategies & Management, 21(3), 479–489. https://doi.org/10.1108/13639519810228787