NCJ Number
39970
Journal
Journal of Urban Economics Volume: 4 Dated: (1977) Pages: 80-103
Date Published
1977
Length
24 pages
Annotation
THIS PAPER INVESTIGATES THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN A PRICE INDEX FOR RETAIL HEROIN AND MONTHLY CRIMES REPORTED TO POLICE.
Abstract
A TIME SERIES MODEL IS PRESENTED WHOSE ESTIMABLE PARAMETERS INCLUDE THE PRICE ELASTICITY OF DEMAND FOR HEROIN AND THE ELASTICITY OF CRIME WITH RESPECT TO PRICE. BASED ON DATA FOR DETROIT, IT IS ESTIMATED THAT A 50 PERCENT INCREASE IN THE PRICE WOULD RESULT IN A 14 PERCENT INCREASE IN THE TOTAL PROPERTY CRIME AND A 13 PERCENT DECREASE IN THE QUANTITY OF HEROIN CONSUMED. THE LARGEST EFFECTS WOULD BE ON BURGLARIES AND ROBBERIES IN POOR NONWHITE NEIGHBORHOODS. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT)...PLO