OPPORTUNITY IS IN THE EYE OF THE BEHOLDER: THE ROLE OF PUBLICITY IN CRIME PREVENTION

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Research Summary: Data concerning burglary rates and, among other things, the timing and intensity of publicity campaigns were acquired for 21 burglary reduction schemes. Statistical analyses showed clear effects of publicity as follows: (1) schemes that employed stand‐alone publicity campaigns were the most effective in reducing burglary; (2) time‐series analyses demonstrated that burglary reduction was coincident with intense periods of publicity; and (3) across the 21 schemes, there was evidence of a drop in the burglary rates prior to the implementation of the schemes, a so‐called anticipatory benefit.Policy Implications: The results suggest that the effectiveness of crime reduction schemes may be significantly enhanced by publicity. Promoting schemes prior to their implementation may also produce an anticipatory benefit, as was observed here. This suggests that carefully planned publicity campaigns may represent a powerful yet cost‐effective tool in crime prevention.