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Seasonal agricultural activity and crime

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  • Diane Charlton
  • Alexander James
  • Brock Smith

Abstract

Sudden shocks to labor demand have sometimes been shown to increase local crime rates. We build on this literature by estimating the causal effect of labor‐intensive seasonal agricultural activity on crime. We analyze a unique data set that describes criminal activity and fruit, vegetable, and horticultural (FVH) employment by month and U.S. county from 1990 to 2016. We find that the FVH labor share is associated with reduced property and violent crime rates, and possibly the number of property crimes committed within county years. Examining heterogeneities based on ethnicity, labor‐intensive FVH activity decreases the rate of non‐Hispanic arrests and victimization, and increases the number of Hispanic arrests and victims (consistent with rising local Hispanic populations). Taken together, results are broadly consistent with the idea that agricultural harvest of labor‐intensive crops enhances local labor market opportunities that reduce incentives to commit crimes. Results are robust to a battery of alternative specifications that address the inherent challenges associated with measuring seasonal agricultural labor.

Suggested Citation

  • Diane Charlton & Alexander James & Brock Smith, 2022. "Seasonal agricultural activity and crime," American Journal of Agricultural Economics, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 104(2), pages 530-549, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:wly:ajagec:v:104:y:2022:i:2:p:530-549
    DOI: 10.1111/ajae.12260
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    References listed on IDEAS

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