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Crime Time: How Ambient Light Affects Crime

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  • Domínguez, Patricio
  • Asahi, Kenzo

Abstract

This paper studies the effect of ambient light on crime, taking advantage of the daylight saving time (DST) policy, which imposes exogenous variations in daylight exposure at specific hours of the day. The paper uses a rich administrative database managed by Chile’s national police, a centralized agency that collects detailed information regarding each crime incident. A 20% decrease (increase) in crimes is found when the DST transition increases (decreases) the amount of sunlight by one hour during the 7-9 p.m. period. Importantly, no significant response is detected induced by DST associated with a plausible demand-side response such as the population’s commuting time pattern, and no substantial short-term displacement is found. Most of the changes in property crime due to the DST policy are driven by robbery in residential areas.

Suggested Citation

  • Domínguez, Patricio & Asahi, Kenzo, 2019. "Crime Time: How Ambient Light Affects Crime," IDB Publications (Working Papers) 9639, Inter-American Development Bank.
    • Handle: RePEc:idb:brikps:9639
    DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.18235/0001701
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

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    3. Steve A. Fotios & Chloe J. Robbins & Stephen Farrall, 2021. "The Effect of Lighting on Crime Counts," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(14), pages 1-14, July.
    4. Jelnov, Pavel, 2021. "Sunset Long Shadows: Time, Crime, and Perception of Change," IZA Discussion Papers 14770, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).

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    JEL classification:

    • R41 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - Transportation Economics - - - Transportation: Demand, Supply, and Congestion; Travel Time; Safety and Accidents; Transportation Noise
    • K42 - Law and Economics - - Legal Procedure, the Legal System, and Illegal Behavior - - - Illegal Behavior and the Enforcement of Law
    • D01 - Microeconomics - - General - - - Microeconomic Behavior: Underlying Principles

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