The Impact of Police Activity on Subway Crime

Abstract : The impact of police manning and apprehension activities on New York City subway crime, with emphasis on robbery, is analyzed for the period 1965-1971. With increased uniformed patrol between 8 p.m. and 4 a.m., the number of felonies decreased both during the hours of increased manning (a deterrent effect) and during the rest of the day (a phantom effect). Displacement of crime is analyzed via the relationship between subway and bus robberies.