Improving Security through Concentrated Policing in Bogotá, Colombia
Summary of the Randomized Evaluation
Country
Colombia (Bogotá)Researchers
Chris Blattman, Donald Green, Daniel Mejia, Daniel Ortega, Santiago TobónMethods
Researchers conducted a randomized controlled trial (RCT) to evaluate the impact of concentrated policing and municipal clean-ups on crime reduction and displacement in Bogotá, Colombia. The study targeted 1,919 high-crime street segments, randomly assigning them to one of four groups: concentrated policing, municipal clean-ups, both interventions, or a control group with no special interventions.
Context:
Crime in Bogotá is spatially concentrated, with a small percentage of street segments accounting for a significant portion of homicides and other crimes. The intervention aimed to address these high-crime areas through increased police presence and municipal maintenance, such as street light repairs, graffiti removal, and garbage collection. The study also aimed to measure potential crime displacement to neighbouring areas.
