In the face of rising crime and ongoing police staffing shortages, a new study published in the Journal of Criminal Justice highlights the potential of code enforcement as a cost-effective crime prevention tool. Authored by faculty from the University of South Carolina and a representative of the Columbia SC police department, the study evaluated a targeted strategy that used code enforcement to address vacant lots, abandoned buildings, and overgrown properties. While the approach did not significantly reduce shootings or violent crime, it led to meaningful declines in property crime—demonstrating the promise of low-contact, non-traditional policing strategies to improve neighborhood safety.
Highlights:
- This study evaluates the effect of a 90-day code enforcement intervention (e.g., abating vacant lots, repairing broken windows/doors) on shootings, violent, and property crimes in a Southeaster United States jurisdiction.
- Findings revealed non-significant impacts on violent crimes, including shootings, robberies, and aggravated assaults.
- There was a robust, statistically significant decrease in total property crimes in the treated areas relative to the control areas.
- Code enforcement units can be leveraged to implement cost-effective, light footprint crime reduction strategies to reduce the burden of excess report writing and calls for service on patrol officers.
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