A problem-oriented police response to tourist robberies in Dade County (Miami), Florida : a study of crime reduction and displacement

• Main Author: Ellison, Steven L.
• Format: Others
• Published: FIU Digital Commons 1995
• Subjects: Criminology and Criminal Justice
• Online Access: http://digitalcommons.fiu.edu/etd/3140

Dade County (Miami, Florida) government officials, made various attempts in recent years to reduce the number of robberies committed against tourists in the Greater Miami area. This exploratory, descriptive study reviewed those efforts focusing on the most recent attempt, a problem-oriented police response, the Tourist-Oriented Police Program (TOP). TOP's area of assignment was examined to determine if robberies were reduced and if robberies increased in the surrounding area, indicating possible displacement. Additionally, the robbery and tourist robbery rates of the county were examined to determine if TOP may have been a causal factor in any change. Data from area police departments of robberies occurring from 1989 through 1994 were retrieved and analyzed. Utilizing an interrupted time series design model, raw numbers and percentages of robberies in several geographic areas were compared. A subjective interpretation of the data suggests that TOP was a causal factor in reduction, and that robberies were not significantly, if at all, displaced into other areas.