NCJ Number
253851
Journal
The Economic Journal Issue: 121 Dated: 2011 Pages: 485-504
Date Published
2011
Length
20 pages
Annotation
This article reports on evidence that large‐scale government intervention in the use of self‐protective measures lowers crime.
Abstract
Since 1999, all new‐built homes in the Netherlands are required to have burglary‐proof windows and doors. An evaluation of the impact of this mandate found that the regulatory change reduced burglary in newly built homes from 1.1 to 0.8 percent annually, a reduction of 26 percent. Although the regulation of built‐in security does not apply to older homes that are most at risk, the social benefits of the regulation are likely to exceed the social costs. (publisher abstract modified)