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The effect of the West Philadelphia Promise Zone on violent crime

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  • Alexander Marsella

Abstract

This paper examines the effect of the West Philadelphia Promise Zone initiative on violent crime rates in a high‐crime area of West Philadelphia, where a series of educational, public‐safety, and quality‐of‐life improvement grants were disbursed from 2014 onward. Synthetic difference‐in‐differences estimates suggest that this resulted in approximately four fewer violent crimes per thousand residents per year, primarily attributable to a reduction in simple assaults. A block‐level synthetic control analysis, along with a traditional synthetic control analysis, corroborate this result. This is estimated to increase quality of life (through reduced crime victimization cost) by millions of dollars within the Promise Zone.

Suggested Citation

  • Alexander Marsella, 2026. "The effect of the West Philadelphia Promise Zone on violent crime," Contemporary Economic Policy, Western Economic Association International, vol. 44(1), pages 4-27, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:coecpo:v:44:y:2026:i:1:p:4-27
    DOI: 10.1111/coep.12699
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    References listed on IDEAS

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