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Crime is Terribly Revealing: Information Technology and Police Productivity

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  • Giovanni Mastrobuoni

Abstract

An increasing number of police departments use information technology (IT) to optimize patrolling strategies, yet little is known about its effectiveness in preventing crime. Based on quasi-random access to “predictive policing,” this study shows that IT improves police productivity as measured by crime clearance rates. Thanks to detailed information on individual incidents and offender-level identifiers it also shows that criminals strategies are predictable. Moreover, the introduction of predictive policing coincides with a large negative trend-discontinuity in crime rates. The benefit–cost ratio of this IT innovation appears to be large.

Suggested Citation

  • Giovanni Mastrobuoni, 2020. "Crime is Terribly Revealing: Information Technology and Police Productivity," The Review of Economic Studies, Review of Economic Studies Ltd, vol. 87(6), pages 2727-2753.
    • Handle: RePEc:oup:restud:v:87:y:2020:i:6:p:2727-2753.
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    File URL: http://hdl.handle.net/10.1093/restud/rdaa009
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