The Deterrence Effect of Law Enforcement: An Evaluation of Recent Findings and Some New Evidence

In: The American journal of economics and sociology, Band 34, Heft 3, S. 323-335

Abstract

Abstract. Six attempts to measure the deterrence effect of law enforcement on certain criminal activities, as well as one by the author, have produced no clear, unequivocal evidence to support the belief that increased public expenditures on law enforcement have a deterrent effect on such activity. Yet the effect may exist. Further research into the measurement of the variables crime and enforcement and upon the nature of the relationship between them must be carried on before definite conclusions can be reached about the existence of the deterrence effect.