ILLUMINATING CRIME - THE IMPACT OF STREET LIGHTING ON CALLS FOR POLICE SERVICE

This study reports on an evaluation of the effects of street lights on crime in several Indianapolis neighborhood. Crime was measured in ter ms of calls for police service (CFS).. Using a quasiexperimental desig n, we performed analyses on four multiblock areas, three intersections , and two aggregated address groups. Two control areas were matched to two multiblock areas that received enhanced lighting. Of the nine tar get areas, six showed evidence of lower CFS volumes after more lightin g. We analyzed the mean weekly CFS in the pre- and postinstallation pe riods. Two lighted areas had a lower mean weekly CFS after installatio n. The more illuminated target area experienced a greater reduction in average CFS for property and miscellaneous crimes than did the contro l area.